Don’t want to be the best at number 8: Mehidy sets the bar high for India Tests

Bangladesh’s bowling all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz has set his standards higher after a scintillating series against Pakistan where he was named Player of the Series for a five-wicket haul and two half-centuries as an all-rounder. He batted at number eight in both the innings he got a chance to bat at, and scored two fifties. 

Now, the all-rounder does not want to be stuck lower down the order and therefore his goal is not to be the best at number eight. 

"No, I don't aim to be the best number eight. Batting at number eight comes with a lot of pressure (laughs). I mean to say that I don't want to be the best at number eight but rather aim to be one of the best higher up the order,” Mehidy was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz. 

He need not want to be the best at number eight, but since 2020 in Tests, he is already the best batter at that position, scoring 635 runs in 22 innings at an average of 30.24 with one hundred and four fifties to his kitty. It is, therefore, natural for him to aspire to better higher up the order. 

“I'm contributing more (with the bat) and it feels great. Of course, it takes hard work and practice; it's not something achievable in just one or two years. You have to play well over a long period. If I can continue my current form, hopefully, one day, I will become the best all-rounder,” the 26-year-old added. 

Talking about the next challenge in front of him and his side after their 2-0 clean sweep of Pakistan in August this year, Mehidy said that this time around, Bangladesh are ready to fight the mighty Indian team. 

“We'll try to enjoy the conditions. When we compete with them, there will be opportunities to achieve good results. Our focus will be on giving our best fight. The whole team is in a positive frame of mind following our victory in Pakistan," said the man approaching the milestone of 2000 runs and 200 wickets in Tests, he currently has 1625 runs and 174 wickets in international red-ball cricket. 

Bangladesh will take on India in the first Test of the two-match series, starting September 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Chepauk.

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