Despite performing well at every opportunity, Sheikh Mehedi Hasan’s frustration over not securing a regular spot in the playing XI was evident in his voice.
The award ceremony hadn’t yet concluded when BCB’s senior media manager Rabid Imam arrived at the press conference with Mehedi. By that time, Liton Kumar Das was speaking to TV presenters. Mehedi had questions for the Bangladesh captain—and for the coach and selectors as well. While he couldn’t address them directly, he voiced his concerns with clear intensity.
Just before attending the press conference, Mehedi had hit the winning boundary for Bangladesh. Earlier in the match, he had already been the team’s standout performer, controlling Ireland’s rapidly accelerating innings. With two wickets in a single over, he shifted the momentum of the game.
Although he conceded 13 runs in his first over, Mehedi finished with figures of 3 wickets for 25 runs in four overs. Officially, Liton Kumar Das was named Player of the Match for guiding the team to a four-wicket victory, but for many observers, Mehedi was the true match-winner.
He had not been in the XI for the first match, yet he marked his return with an outstanding performance—a recurring pattern for him.
During the last Asia Cup, despite impressive bowling, he was not included in all matches. In four games, he took six wickets, conceding only 6.87 runs per over.
Even afterward, he was left out in the first two matches against West Indies at home, returning only in the final game to take 1 wicket for 18 runs in four overs. Naturally, he had to sit out the first match of this series as well.
But in the second match, he returned on Saturday to deliver another match-winning performance.
Addressing the recurring issue of being in and out of the team, Mehedi’s frustration surfaced strongly in the post-match press conference, his face reflecting the strain.
“Actually, maybe the head coach can answer this question, our captain can answer, or those involved in team selection can answer. You see, my job is to play. The question you asked is difficult for me… but actually, I am asking a simple question. You work in a channel, and if you work one month here and one month there, it is not comfortable for you. It’s the same for me. It’s hard for me, but I am trying.”
One visible reason Mehedi hasn’t secured a regular spot is team balance. Depending on conditions and opposition, he is rotated with other spinners like Rishad Hossain and Nasum Ahmed. However, another reason for his suppressed frustration became apparent later.
In an ideal setup, when a player is left out of the XI or squad, the coach, captain, or management explains the decision to the player.
But Mehedi openly admitted he hasn’t received that kind of clarity in the Bangladesh team.
“No, they don’t discuss it with me. But my job is to play. As a cricketer, first and foremost, playing for Bangladesh is a matter of pride. Whether I play after 10 matches or regularly, the important thing is to be able to play.”
