Mehidy Hasan Miraz has credited his success to his ability to adapt his bowling to the pitch conditions. In T20 cricket, where explosive batting often takes center stage, his strategic approach proved instrumental in neutralizing threats like Nicholas Pooran, who set a record this year with 170 sixes in a calendar year—35 more than Chris Gayle’s previous record. However, Pooran was completely subdued during the recent series against Bangladesh, thanks largely to Mehidy.
Pooran, a formidable batsman, struggled throughout the series, scoring just 1 and 5 in the first two matches. In the final game, he showed glimpses of his usual aggressive self by hitting a four off Tanzim Hasan Sakib and a six off Taskin Ahmed. However, Mehidy dismissed him yet again after conceding a boundary, limiting him to 15 runs. Across the series, Mehidy effectively implemented his game plan, rooted in prior experience playing alongside Pooran in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
“Playing together in the BPL and other teams gave me a good understanding of Pooran’s game,” Mehidy said. “I know he struggles against off-spinners, so that was the plan, and we executed it well.”
Mehidy didn’t just target Pooran; he stifled the entire West Indies batting lineup. Entrusted with the challenging task of bowling during the powerplay, he prevented the aggressive Caribbean batsmen from gaining momentum. Over three matches, he claimed eight wickets while conceding just 5.75 runs per over. His exceptional performance earned him the Player of the Series award for the first time in his international career.
Reflecting on his success, Mehidy said, “I enjoyed bowling on these types of pitches. During the World Cup, I noticed that the wickets here were sticky with low bounce. Before the series, we planned to bowl straight and stay accurate, which is crucial on such surfaces.”
Interestingly, Mehidy spent the World Cup in Saint Vincent on the bench, not getting a single game. However, he used that time to observe the conditions and gather insights. His recent stint with the Rangpur Riders in the Global T20 in Guyana further honed his skills, which he put to excellent use in this series.
