Mithun out to be hero from unsung hero
Akram heaves a sigh of relief
Sports Reporter
Mohammad Mithun identified his problem in finishing the innings, knowing that something epic only could turn him hero from the unsung hero.
Mithun played two 60 plus innings in Bangladeshs two crucial victories against Sri Lanka and Pakistan in a virtual semifinal of the Asia Cup when the team was struggling after losing some early wickets. In those two times, he played a second fiddle to Mushfiqur Rahim who went on to score an epic 144 and 99 against Sri Lanka and Pakistan respectively to put a shed on Mithun.
Mithun knows he must play such match defining knock like Mushfiqur if he wants to make him main character and bracket himself alongside Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad as the mainstay of Bangladeshs batting line up.
Time will say whether he could put him alongside those four batsmen but at the moment, he aims to finish the job done if he starts well.
I couldnt finish the innings the way Mushfiqur did. I got dismissed when I had bright chance to finish it well, Mithun said yesterday. I knew it wasnt good for me. If I can play an innings like Mushfiqur, I can be the main character. So I would try my best to finish the innings well like Mushfiqur Rahim if the chance comes again.
Confidence oozed from his voice that he revealed that he had no lack of motivation despite coming and out from the team continuously. He first got chance in the national team in 2014 and got axed. Later he came back in the team earlier this before being dropped again. The Asia Cup was his third time in the national team and he this time made the call count.
The team management however has high hopes on Mithun as they expected him to continue his form and make a room in World Cup bound team in England as a key middle order batsman. Mithun however doesnt want to look too far ahead at this moment.
There are many series coming up. The main target is to play match by match, series by series and do well. I need to be in good physical stead and perform well. If so, the chance will come automatically.
As Shakib Al Hasans injury wasnt as grave as it was predicted, Akram termed it as good news, saying that he would do according with regards of Shakib after talking to physio and team management. He at the same time would talk to physio as to how the injury became complicated.
Akram also revealed that a psychologist named Ali Azad, a Bangali counselor would spend a week with the players during the series against Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile batting coach Neil McKenzie would leave the country for South Africa after Bangladeshs ODI series against Zimbabwe since he was contracted for ODI batting just. Akram said they are still searching a Test batting consultant for the team.
