We Have Beaten Afghanistan Many Times Before' – Mehidy Hasan's Response After Opening ODI Loss

UAE: Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan remains optimistic despite Bangladesh’s heavy defeat to Afghanistan in the first ODI of the three-match series. After a batting collapse led to their downfall, Mehidy reminded fans and teammates alike that one loss doesn’t define the series.

“Look, we’ve beaten Afghanistan many times before. We even won against them in the first ODI match in the World Cup. Then we won the T20 series at home and also a series on home soil before. Just because we lost one match doesn’t mean everything is lost,” Mehidy told reporters in UAE on Friday.

Despite Afghanistan now being one win away from clinching the series, Mehidy emphasized the quality of international teams, saying, “In international cricket, every team is of high quality. You can never underestimate any team. We’re moving past this poor performance and preparing for the next game. The pitch didn’t behave as expected, but as set batters, players like Shanto and I needed to take responsibility.”

Learning from the Setback

In the series opener, Bangladesh appeared to be cruising towards victory with 118 runs needed and eight wickets in hand. However, they shockingly collapsed, losing eight wickets for just 23 runs within four overs.

Mehidy explained the conditions that played a part in the collapse:
“When Shanto and I were batting, the pitch seemed easy. But after 20 overs, as the ball aged and softened, it started turning more. As set batters, we struggled, which made it even tougher for those coming in next. We should have seen it through, but mistakes were made.”

He noted that the unpredictable nature of the pitch made it hard to read:
“The pitch would turn one moment and straighten the next. We discussed this later, and I believe the set batters needed to finish the game.”

The Impact of Injuries

The team’s challenge has been compounded by the absence of experienced players. Mushfiqur Rahim, a vital middle-order batsman, has been ruled out due to a finger injury, while Litton Das is unavailable due to illness. In their place, Jaker Ali is set to step up.

Mehidy acknowledged the loss, saying, “Mushfiqur Bhai’s injury is unfortunate. His experience is invaluable. But this is a great opportunity for Jaker Ali to prove himself. If he gives his best, it’ll be a boost for him and for Bangladesh.”

Moving Forward

With two games remaining, Mehidy remains hopeful for a comeback. Rather than focusing on the overall series, he views the next match as critical, emphasizing that Bangladesh has been adapting to the ground and gearing up for the challenge.

“We still have a chance. Rather than focusing on both matches, we are preparing with a focus on the next one,” Mehidy added.

Bangladesh will look to recover and display resilience as they prepare for the crucial second ODI, hoping to level the series and keep their hopes alive.

Reference from :- https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/132362/we-have-beaten-afghanistan-many-times-before-mehidy