Bangladeshi debutant Mehedi Hasan learnt art of spin watching Ramesh Powar on TV by Bipin Dani

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Scorecard:	Bangladesh v England
Player:	Mehedi Hasan
Event:	England in Bangladesh 2016/17

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DateLine: 21st October 2016

 

Mumbai, Oct. 21 : Bangladesh's new off-spinner Mehedi Hasan has learned the art of his bowling after watching Ramesh Powar bowling on TV.

 

The right-arm bowler took five England wickets on his debut day in Test cricket on Thursday.

 

Speaking exclusively over telephone from his hotel room in Chittagong, he said, "Though I have never met him, Ramesh Power is my hero. I used to watch him play IPL matches on TV and took inspiration from him".

 

Mehedi Hasan, who will turn 19 on Tuesday, sent down 33 overs on the first day of the ongoing Test which itself is a record for any Bangladeshi debutant.

 

"It was because the captain (Mushfiqur Rahim) had faith in me. I was also encouraged by the senior members of the team and special thanks to Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan for their kind words".

 

"No, unfortunately my parents have not watched my heroic debut. My father was a truck drive till last year and he with my mother stay at home in Khulna, which is over 350 km from here (Chittagong)", he further added.

 

Classical off-spinner : Ramesh Powar

 

When informed about Mehedi Hasan's claims on getting inspiration from him, Ramesh Powar, who has played 2 Tests and 31 ODIs' for India, immediately switched on his TV and watched the highlights of the match.

 

"I have just watched him (Mehedi Hasan) getting out in the slip. He looks a classical off-spinner".

 

"I feel very nice to say getting inspiration from my bowling".

 

"I heard he was also a captain of the Under-19 team".

 

"I have never met him but the world is now a small place and wish to meet him on any day", the 38-year-old Powar said.

 

"I will tell him to involve with modern cricket and learn new tricks with ball", he signed off.

 

(Article: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only.
Copyright © 2016 Bipin Dani)