High strike rate the aim
Wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Mithun's journey with the Bangladesh team since making his debut in 2014 has not been a smooth one. Although he has played 13 T20Is and three ODIs, Mithun did not have the benefit of playing a string of matches for the national side in order to settle in.
Despite starting his career as an opening batsman, Mithun was an integral part of the middle order for Bangladesh A on their recent tour of Ireland.
The right hander scored two fifties with a strike rate well over 100 and also struck a match-winning 39-ball 80 to seal the three-match T20 series against Ireland A.
The 27-year-old was eventually rewarded for his fine form and was included in the 15-member Bangladesh squad for the upcoming Asia Cup, but this time with a totally different role.
According to chief selector Minhajul Abedin the team management is hoping that Mithun will bat at number six or seven and score quick runs in the latter stages of the innings.
"I have always tried to play positive cricket since the start of my career -- not take much time to settle at the wicket. I try to keep up the momentum and the run flow and look to rotate the strike. When you come to bat at number six or seven it's important to rotate the strike, which is in my nature, so I am not worried about my new role.
"I used to open the innings against the new ball and maybe I had to take some time to get set, which I will not get in the middle order. But I have to bat at a strike rate of 110-120 and even 130 at number six or seven. It depends on the situation but I think it will help me if I can bat at such high strike rates," Mithun told reporters after the skill training session at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.
With Sabbir Rahman's prolonged poor form and off-field disciplinary issues resulting in the middle-order batsman being dropped from the Asia Cup squad, the Tigers's think tank is hoping that Mithun will be able to grab the opportunity and fill the vacant space.
"Look, I don't believe in replacing anyone as he had a different role and I will play a different one. I am a totally different person -- I might play better than him but I have to have the confidence and look to have the mentality to give my best," he added.
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