Mosaddek Hossain Saikat’s ever consistent performance in the last year earned him the accolade of ‘next big thing’ of the Bangladesh cricket. And it was a quite fitting compliment for the former Under-19 player who never felt burdened for the expectation that was put on him.
The statistic indeed showed how enthusiastically he enjoyed the status. He flourished fully this year, leading Abahani Limited to regain the coveted Dhaka Premier League title after four years with his tremendous all-round performance. With 622 runs, batting in No 5 or 6 position and 15 wickets with his off-spin, he was the go-to man for his captain Tamim Iqbal who revealed that Mosaddek now came off his age.
His rise was not however meteoric. He showed the glimpse of his immense talent when he was the player of Bangladesh Under-19 team. Thereafter he proved that he was not in mood to waste the talent he got. The label of ‘next big thing’ has come after a consistent run of big scores in domestic cricket, which dates back to Mosaddek's first season in the DPL when he single-handedly led Abahani Limited's title fight in 2013. He translated that form into Bangladesh A team and then showed how capable he is to play when it is the matter of playing long innings in longer version format. Over the last two first class seasons he had hit three double centuries—most by any Bangladeshi batsman.
In the last first class season he made 734 runs in NCL and BCL and with 622 runs in DPL meant, he scored 1356 runs in the last cricket season. Quite obviously there was no reason to fit him into the 30-member preliminary squad.
The performance showed he even can stake claim in the final 15-member squad which would be announced before the England’s tour in Bangladesh.
But what creates the problem is the settled unit of Bangladesh in the limited over game. With so many inform all-rounders in the team, it looks quite hard for the team management to bring him up to the fore. While the performance spoke a volume of his competence to outshine all, he may have to wait longer for his chance.
“It is very early to make comment whether he gets the nod in the final 15-member squad,” said chief selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu.
“After the practice camp starts, he will be observed closely. Then we will take a call on him.”
Nannu admitted the tough fight in the middle and late middle order could act against Mosaddek’s inclusion into the team.
“If someone is in form, how can you replace him? Former Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons was a good batsman but he never could stake claim in the Australia team because the position in which he played, Mark Waugh established him one of the finest batsman in that place. So the chance of Jamie never came. I am not telling Mosaddek would endure something like that but he would have to face tough challenge. I wish his success.”
“Mosaddek would have to keep up the performance and if he keeps it up, he would be rewarded at some point of the time.”
Mosaddek had made his debut for Bangladesh in T20 cricket because the team management wanted to make an experiment with the team ahead of the World T20.
The 20-year old however knew he would have go long way and keep performing.
“I don’t know what happened in the next but I focus on to keep performing. I am in now 30-member preliminary squad but I don’t know I would get chance in the final 15-member squad. That’s up to the selectors and team management. What I can do, is to show my ability.”