Shakib Bhai Doesn’t Need Anyone To Motivate Him – Mahedy 

Rangpur Riders all-rounder Mahedi Hasan asserted that their icon player Shakib Al Hasan, also the skipper of the Bangladesh national men’s cricket team, is such an individual who never requires someone to motivate him despite undergoing any tough situation; rather, the ace all-rounder has always been the ultimate source of their inspiration. He further revealed that, as teammates, they are trying to do their best to support Shakib during his tough time, which was caused by his retinal issues.

Q: How would you evaluate this edition of BPL as of now?

Mahedi: Look, the tournament just started, and we are only passing the second phase of the meet here in Sylhet; still a long way to go.

Q. You are pretty laudable with the ball in the tournament, scalping seven wickets from five games. How would you term your beginning?

Mahedi: It is fine with me; however, let’s see what happens further. Since I am doing well, therefore, I will attempt to carry it on. At the same time, it is also true that it is always difficult to maintain momentum. I hope you will admit that there is no endpoint for improvement.

Q. How have you found the wicket conditions in this season of the competition so far?

Mahedi: In fact, the wicket conditions mostly depend on the weather conditions. We have seen cold and fog since the inception of this edition, where the wickets were exactly the same as they ought to be.

And how about Mirpur? As few campaigners already complained regarding it’s wicket?

Mahedi: To be honest, the toss has always been significant at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. When we featured in Mirpur, it was extremely cold along with fog, and as a result, the curators couldn’t prepare the wickets like they should have been. Wicket conditions will remain tricky when there is no sunshine. However, it starts to act perfectly when there is sunlight. The difference is not very significant.

Q: How are the wickets in Sylhet? Since those are yet to be seen producing runs to the expected level, despite being known as batting paradise among all three venues in the BPL,.

Mahedi: Look, I wouldn’t be able to say properly why it is occurring. I guess batters will be the right people to ask about; however, it is a reality that everybody will not keep doing well every day because the performance always moves like a circle. If someone does well today, someone else will do well some other day. Individual performance greatly depends on a particular day.

Q. Given the strength, how much is it possible to clinch the title?

Mahedi: Look, every owner forms a team aiming for the title. But it all depends on the performance of the team. Since we have played only five games, as time passes, you yourself will be able to realize where we are going. Before the conclusion of the play-off, I guess it would not be wise to predict who would play in the final or not.

Q. Rangpur icon player Shakib Al Hasan is having a tough time both batting and bowling because of his eye issues. As teammates do you guys motivate him so that he can make a quick comeback? And how is the team environment for now?

Mahed: Our team environment is very good. Everything is fine, and we have no issues. And about motivating Shakib Bhai, he has been the ultimate source of our motivation, to be honest. Shakib Bhai doesn’t need anyone to motivate him. Only he knows what his task is. He is such a player who always tries to give his best within his ability.

Q. You are yet to make an appearance in Test cricket. Are you expecting it shortly?

Mahedi: I don’t know honestly, as it wholly depends on the selectors. If they consider me a fit candidate, they will pick-up; otherwise, they wouldn’t.

Q. The ICC T20 World Cup is knocking at the door. How optimistic are you to manage a call in the squad since you have been performing consistently in this format of cricket?

Mahedi: Still, it is three months to go. But I am optimistic that I will be picked.