Mahedi Stresses Quality Wickets for Major Tournaments

DHAKA: As Bangladesh prepares for significant international competitions like the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup, all-rounder Mahedi Hasan underscored the significance of practicing on superior wickets. He addressed the local media on Thursday, just before the Asia Cup.

Mahedi noted that utilizing good pitches is vital for instilling confidence and acclimating to international playing environments.

“It’s really important to get ready on pitches that are good. The wickets are generally better during ICC or other big global events, and even minor errors can be costly. When batting, a poor wicket forces you to either defend or attempt risky hits.

Being able to score quick singles and doubles is essential to any team and it is a lot easier on a decent pitch,” he added.

Mahedi mentioned that the often inconsistent pitches and unpredictable bounce that Bangladesh deals with can make preparing difficult for players.

“We know what to anticipate from the Mirpur surface, which may have erratic bounce. But we might also practice in places like Chattogram or Sylhet, where the wickets are better,” he proposed.

Mahedi voiced his faith in his ability to adapt as a bowler while discussing his own play.

“My results overseas haven’t been too bad, if you look. I don’t think I can only perform on particular wickets. I’m always trying to get better as a player,” he stated in closing.

The Asia Cup 2025, which will be played in the T20 format, is an important warm-up for teams competing in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which India and Sri Lanka will co-host in February.

A total of eight teams, divided into two groups, will compete for the coveted championship. Group A includes fierce rivals Pakistan and India, along with the United Arab Emirates and Oman, while Group B features Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong.

The tournament will get underway on September 9 with a Group B match between Afghanistan and Hong Kong.

Pakistan will face Oman on September 12 to begin their campaign, and then India in a huge match on September 14. On September 17, they will play their final group-stage match against the UAE.