Off-spin the key for Miraz

When you think of Mehedi Hasan Miraz, the first thing that comes to mind is the Under-19 World Cup. Miraz led what was arguably the strongest ever Bangladesh under-19 team in a World Cup that took place in his own den.

There was plenty of pressure on the teenagers right from the start. In fact, the media coverage reached such an extent that Stuart Law, the coach of the team back then, was compelled to ask reporters to calm down and let the teenagers do what they are best at: playing the game.

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Facing a majority of that media storm was Miraz. And the manner in which the 18-year-old tactfully handled a number of the media's questions depicted maturity and surprised many.

Be it in victory or defeat, Miraz maintained his smile. It was as though he knew that this was just the beginning and that losing the semifinal of the Under-19 World Cup was merely his introduction to international cricket.

Seven months on, Miraz has found himself a spot in the 20-member national pool for the Afghanistan and England series. The player who performed the role of an all-rounder in under-19 cricket has been selected as a specialist off-spinner, chief selector Minhajul Abedin informed reporters last week.

Speaking to The Daily Star from his hometown in Barisal, where he will spend Eid, Miraz described his inclusion as a 'big opportunity'.

“This is a big deal for me and this is just the start. The next challenge is to make it to the final squad and I hope I can do it,” he said.

While he has played the role of an all-rounder in age-group cricket, he said that he doesn't mind being selected as a specialist off-spinner.

“I think at this point in time there are many good batsmen in the national side and it will be difficult to make it through as a batsman. It's not as though I like batting more than bowling, I like both the departments equally but at this point in time it seems like the only way I can make it to the national team is through my off-spinners and that's why I am working hard on them,” he added.

The selectors were quick to spot Miraz's turners. He was given an opportunity to play for Khulna in the National Cricket League where he excelled on the dead pitches. The highlight of his performance was when he picked up a ten-wicket haul against Rangpur on October 10, 2015.

He followed that with an eight-wicket haul in his last first-class game against Dhaka Metropolis.

Bangladesh has generally found it hard to field specialist off-spinners in the team. Currently Shuvagata Hom is the only one who performs that role.

Considering the dearth, it seems like a good time for Miraz to begin staking a claim for himself. 

While Miraz knows that, he also knows that there's still a long way to go.

He described it best: “Honestly speaking, as a player I haven't proved anything as yet. There's a lot of difference between domestic and international cricket. I still have a lot to learn. They have selected me as a spinner, but I can only call myself a successful spinner once I do well in international cricket.”