DHAKA, Feb 20, 2020 (BSS) – Bangladesh’s young opener Saif Hasan is keen to follow the recipe of increasing the focus level in a bid to thrive in the Test cricket, a version in which the country hardly got any opener in recent
time apart from Tamim Iqbal to bat with utmost concentration.
Saif however has the reputation of playing long innings in the domestic
circuit but he couldn’t quite translate it into the International cricket on
his debut Test match against Pakistan.
In Rawalpindi Test, in which he made his long overdue debut, Saif got a
two ball-duck in the first innings, before making 16 off 25 in the second
innings. Bangladesh lost that Test by an innings and 44 runs.
From his first-hand experience, Saif got the idea that the International
cricket is far tougher than the domestic circuit and he needs to value his
wicket if he wants to thrive here.
At the same time, he also understood that his practice method would have
to be changed to be a successful Test batsman. And he found the recipe.
“In the second innings of the first Test against Pakistan in which I
made debut, I felt quite good but unfortunately the ball became low. What I
understood that, I have lacked in focus level. If I would have focused well,
I could manage to keep that ball away. So I got the idea that I have to
increase the level of focus in a bid to become successful here,” Saif said
here on Thursday after the team’s practice session at the Sher-e-Bangla
National Cricket Stadium.
“The practice method should be changed. When I will bat in the net, I
would have to be careful of not being dismissed. If I make it habit of not
getting out in the net session, it would be very helpful in International
cricket.”
“So whenever I come to have a net session, I tried not to get out in new
ball and play balls as much as I can. I tried to play session by session in
net and by doing so I kept practicing.” Saif knew well that he would have to
be successful at any cost within short span of time if he wants to play the
International cricket regularly.
Apart from Tamim Iqbal, no openers could actually cement their place,
forcing selectors to repeatedly change his partner.
“Since the childhood, my dream was to open the innings with Tamim Iqbal.
The dream came true but now it’s the time to prolong the career. I know if I
don’t play well, I wouldn’t have any chance,” he remarked.
Saif came to the side at a moment when Bangladesh was going through a
lean phase in their cricket history, losing six straight Test matches, of
which five came by innings margin. The young opener said the team is
desperate to end the losing streak by winning the Test against Zimbabwe.
“There is nothing to consider Zimbabwe as minnows. Every team offers
different challenges in International cricket. We have to keep our process
right, whatever the team is,” Saif disclosed.
“After losing the Test against Pakistan, we sat together and decided we
have to do something to come out from this phase. We have a specific plan of
how we can do well. Hopefully we would execute our plan in the Test against
Zimbabwe successfully,” he concluded.