Mehidy Hasan had been going through a rough patch lately. Runs had dried up with the bat, and he went wicketless for five consecutive matches. Heading into today’s first T20 against the West Indies on Victory Day morning, his spot in the playing XI was far from guaranteed.
Adding to the uncertainty, another spin all-rounder, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, was part of the squad. Miraz, who captained Bangladesh in the Test and ODI series during the West Indies tour, seemed like the more likely choice. But the team management put their trust in Mehidy Hasan. And what a brilliant way he repaid that faith!
Batting first in Arnos Vale, Bangladesh were in trouble at 96 for 5. Mehidy, along with returning Shamim Hossain, stitched together a vital 49-run partnership for the sixth wicket, pushing the total closer to 150. Though his 26-run knock wasn’t explosive, it was invaluable given the circumstances.
But it was with the ball that Mehidy truly turned the game around, exceeding all expectations. Bowling four overs, he gave away just 13 runs and took four wickets — his career-best figures in T20 cricket.
The West Indies batters crumbled under Mehidy’s spin, with key players like Nicholas Pooran, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, and Andre Fletcher all falling victim to him. Their struggles left the remaining batters under immense pressure. Though West Indies captain Rovman Powell mounted a fierce fightback, Hasan Mahmud ensured it wasn’t enough.
Bowling in the death overs of a T20 match is one of the toughest challenges for a bowler. But Hasan Mahmud showcased nerves of steel, delivering a masterclass in the final over with a mix of wide yorkers, slower balls, and pinpoint deliveries. It was a performance that hinted at his potential to become a “death-over specialist.”
Among Bangladesh’s other pacers, Tanzim Hasan was expensive, conceding 47 runs in his four overs. Taskin Ahmed fared better with figures of 4-0-28-0, but his third over, where Powell smashed three sixes for 23 runs, almost turned the match. However, Hasan Mahmud stood out, conceding just two boundaries in his spell. His final over was exceptional, defending 10 runs while giving away only 2 and taking 2 crucial wickets, including the dangerous Powell, who scored a blistering 60 off 35 balls.
Even more impressive was how captain Liton Das used Hasan Mahmud. Instead of bowling him in consecutive overs, Liton brought him on at different stages, and each time, Hasan responded brilliantly. His ability to maintain pressure on the West Indies batters at every stage of the game made a significant difference.
While Mehidy was undoubtedly the main architect of Bangladesh’s win, Hasan Mahmud played the perfect supporting role. Thanks to their combined efforts, Bangladesh now leads the three-match series 1-0. Mehidy’s all-round performance earned him the Player of the Match award.
Receiving the award, the 30-year-old all-rounder remained humble and credited his teammates:
“We tried to stick to the process and bowl straight. I’ve bowled in the powerplay before, and I really enjoyed bowling on this pitch. Shamim batted brilliantly. It was a crucial moment for the team, and I tried to build a partnership with him.”
Mehidy wasn’t part of Bangladesh’s Test or ODI squads for this West Indies tour, but he’s been in the Caribbean since late November, playing for the Rangpur Riders in the Global Super League (GSL). His stellar performance in that tournament — taking 8 wickets in five matches — helped Rangpur win the title and boosted Mehidy’s confidence.
“Playing in the Global Super League (in Guyana) recently gave me confidence,” he said.
With this win, Mehidy has not only regained his form but also proven his worth as a key player for Bangladesh.
