Dhaka – Bangladeshi right-arm off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz has made an unwanted record in the ongoing first Test of three-match series against New Zealand in Hamilton.
He now holds the record for conceding most runs in a Test for Bangladesh. Mehidy conceded 246 runs in the first innings of New Zealand to take only two wickets.
New Zealand declared their first innings after accumulating 715 for six. Mehidy bowled 49 overs with an economy rate of 5.02.
His 246 is also the record for conceding most runs in a Test innings in New Zealand for a bowler from any country, and he became the only second bowler after New Zealand’s Stephen Boock to give away more than 200 runs in New Zealand.
Taijul Islam, the left-arm orthodox bowler of Bangladesh, was the previous holder of giving away most runs in a Test innings for Tigers. He conceded 219 runs against Sri Lanka in Chattogram last year, which was the first and only instance of a Bangladeshi bowler to give more than 200 runs in a single innings.
It was unwanted to Mehidy as he is the holder of two best bowling records in Tests for the Tigers. Last November, he finished a Test against West Indies taking 12 wickets. He had also taken 12 wickets against England in 2016 to help Bangladesh win against the lions for the first time in history.
However, he has little choice in the condition of New Zealand where most Asian spinners struggle.
Bangladesh spin coach Sunil Joshi, however, said the players did not have “ideal preparations”.
“All of the national team players were playing in the BPL (before coming in New Zealand). I am not blaming that. But they did not have the ideal preparation,” he said. “We are not complaining about that. Again depends on the individual.”
Joshi also backed his disciple Mehidy. He said: “He is a young star. He will learn throughout the years. We have seen some of the bowlers’ names on the list who have struggled in unfamiliar conditions.
“So, obviously we have to give that much support to our young bowler. I am sure he will come out successful.”UNB
