Excited to play our first-ever day-night Test - Mehidy Hasan

[Ulquiorra]

 

Mehidy is hopeful of putting up an improved performance in Kolkata. © BCB

Bangladesh off-spinner Mehidy Hasan has said that Bangladesh are not tensed about the prospect of playing their first-ever pink-ball Test. Having already lost the opening Test in Indore inside three days, the visitors now face a daunting task of coming up against a red-hot pace attack that will look to create more impact with a ball that is expected to swing a lot more.

"It's a totally new experience, we are not tensed at all," Mehidy told reporters after a practice session. "I think we all are excited to play the day-night Test with pink ball for the first time. That's a matter of huge excitement. We remain normal and take the preparation that we usually take before any match.

"I have batted today and found the ball moves more than the traditional red ball. The ball seems to be heavy and if the bat connects with the ball, it goes quickly. I think pink ball can offer swing heavily from the beginning. It is important to get set in the crease. If one can get set he will find it easier. We didn't get enough time to practice with the pink ball. But we are trying to overcome our shortcomings,'' he added.

Mehidy believes spinners can still play a part in the game even though pacers are expected to inflict more damage. "Spinners, I think, can skid the ball. There may be some bounce and turn. From what we have seen pink ball can offer bounce for the spinners," he observed.

"About the seam, it can be identified when it lands on the seam and sometimes the seam can't be identified. Maybe sometimes it might not be possible to predict the seam position,'' he said adding that they would get a better idea after practicing for a couple of more days.

The 22-year-old expressed disappointment over his own performance and has called for fellow young players to step up as well so that Bangladesh can put up a better fight. "The seniors' performance over the years took us here," Mehidy pointed out. "So the performances of juniors, I mean the junior players who are playing for long, is very important. The likes of me, Liton, Mustafizur, Shadman, Mithun should step up to support the seniors.

"To be honest, I am working with the coaches to make sure that I check the flow of runs while playing in foreign conditions. But in the last match they played really aggressive cricket. We feel that if I can strangle the flow of runs, I get more opportunities to get wickets in foreign conditions. But while in home, the case is different all-together."