Bangladesh middle-order batter Tawhid Hridoy has backed the national team’s openers to rediscover form despite their struggles in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
Opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim is averaging just over 18 in this edition of the BPL, with a highest score of 76, while Saif Hassan -- the other opener preferred by the team management -- has endured a difficult campaign, averaging below 15.
Hridoy, meanwhile, registered a superb century on Wednesday, following it up after a knock of 62 the previous day. His 63-ball 109 against Noakhali Express helped Rangpur Riders secure third position in the playoffs.
The hundred propelled Hridoy to the top of the BPL run-getters’ list, with 378 runs at an average of 42 and a strike rate of 139.48. His surge up the scoring charts coincided with a change in batting position. In his first six matches, batting at three or four, Hridoy averaged just 17.6 with only one fifty. Following that lean run, he was promoted to open the innings and responded with an unbeaten 97 against Rajshahi Warriors.
With national team openers out of form, Hridoy was asked whether he could be considered for an opening role at international level.
“When the team [Rangpur] gave me this opportunity, I told them I had no problem. I am mentally ready to try to contribute to the team wherever they deploy me,” Hridoy said. “Yes, playing in the top order provides an opportunity to build an innings, whereas in the middle or lower order, you focus on impact innings of 25 to 50 runs.”
However, speaking about the national team, Hridoy stressed the importance of backing the existing openers.
“I cannot say much about the national team. There are many top-order batters and they have been doing well in the last one year. I don't think I should be in their place right now; we should trust them and we want them to represent the country well going forward,” Hridoy remarked.
Saif, who is also the vice-captain of the T20I side, registered his only notable innings of the tournament with a 73 against Chattogram on Wednesday -- a knock that may offer some relief to the selectors ahead of the World Cup. Hridoy, however, cautioned against directly comparing BPL performances with international cricket.
“At this moment, you cannot compare the BPL with international cricket; they are different. We should pray that everyone does well, because that is good for the country,” he added.
Hridoy is expected to slot in at number five for the national team. He revealed that skipper Litton Das had emphasised the importance of his role in the middle order.
“He [Litton] told me, ‘You will play in the middle order at the World Cup, so if everything is right, try to practise batting there. It’s different and not easy,’” Hridoy said. “He reminded me that impact innings in the middle order also count.”
