Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz delivered a vital performance on Thursday, August 6, scoring an unbeaten 109 against Cricket Australia XI in a three-day practice match held in Darwin. Facing scrutiny following his recent removal from ODI captaincy, Mehidy provided a timely reminder of his capabilities by anchoring the Bangladesh innings under challenging conditions.
The visitors initially faced a familiar top-order struggle, falling to 158/7 before Mehidy initiated a rescue mission. He faced 141 deliveries for his 109 runs, an innings highlighted by 11 fours and four sixes. His efforts included a 30-run contribution alongside Hasan Mahmud and a decisive 69-run partnership for the final wicket with Khaled Ahmed, who added 15 runs. These efforts helped propel Bangladesh to a total of 263 in 75.5 overs. The Cricket Australia XI attack was led by off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli, who claimed impressive figures of 6-83 from 24 overs.
Reflecting on his approach after the day's play, Mehidy emphasized the importance of patience over aggressive scoring. He noted that the initial phase was challenging, requiring him to focus on merit and understanding the pitch rather than chasing quick runs. As he gained comfort with the unfamiliar conditions, he found it easier to accumulate runs and build partnerships. By the close of play, Bangladesh had made inroads into the hosts' lineup, reducing Cricket Australia XI to 51/2, with Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud each taking a wicket.
Looking ahead to the upcoming Test match against Australia, Mehidy expressed optimism regarding his form. He stated that the century provided a significant confidence boost and that maintaining his current mindset would be beneficial for both his individual performance and the team's success in the series.
Early on, I wasn't looking to score runs.
Later, when I got the opportunity, scoring runs became easier.
