Bangladesh all-rounder Mehedi Hasan said on Tuesday that they were focusing on to improve their fielding skills under the guidance of new coach Steve Rhodes ahead of the forthcoming Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in United Arab Emirates from September 15-28.
Fielding has always been a concern for Tigers when it comes to their performance as a unit.
As a result, coach Steve Rhodes is looking to provide guidance and structure to hone the players’ skillsets for the crucial tournament, especially in the fielding department.
The Tigers performed fielding, running and gym on the second day of their fitness training camp at the National Cricket Academy Ground in Mirpur.
‘In cricket, batting and bowling are important but fielding is the most crucial part. If we can save 20-30 runs by fielding, in the end it can change the scenario of the match,’ Mehedi told reporters in Mirpur.
Mehedi said he was enjoying training under Rhodes as he was working on improving the personal skills of the players.
‘During the West Indies tour, we couldn’t work with the coach that much but now he is working with us depending on the problems and we are very much enjoying working with him as he is helping us a lot, ‘ he said.
‘Everyone is helping everyone as we worked on fielding, running and gym today [Tuesday].’
Tigers worked on the fielding issues like one-handed catch, boundary-line catches in the training sessions what Mehedi said were so important in the match situations.
‘If we work hard in the training, it will be easier in the match so that we are trying to make it as tough as possible. These practices are very important in match situations,’ said Mehedi.
‘Taking boundary-line catches by keeping balance helps you in the match. I hope the training will help us improving our skills and we are doing it very seriously.’
Though this will be Mededi’s maiden Asian Cup, the conditions of the middle-east nation won’t be anything new for the player as he played there in the Under-19 World Cup in 2014.
The all-rounder also promised to give his best effort in the competition.
‘I have never played in the Asia Cup before, so, if I get the chance I will try to deliver my hundred per cent. I played my Under-19 World Cup there [UAE] and I have got some ideas about the wickets,’ said Mehedi.
‘I will do whatever the team ask me to do and this is my goal.
‘If I ball in the power-play, I will try to be economical and if I ball in the middle overs, I will try to be more wicket-seeking, apart from that I don’t have any personal goals, and want to perform as per my team demand,’ he added.
Bangladesh, who are drawn in Group B of the six-nation tournament alongside Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, will start their campaign against Sri Lanka on September 15 in Dubai.
The Tigers will take on Afghanistan on September 20 in their second and final group match at Abu Dhabi.
-With New Age input
