Ashraful expresses desire for Mehidy to finish games for Bangladesh

Bangladesh batting coach Mohammad Ashraful said that ODI skipper Mehidy Hasan should bat at number seven in the 50-over format, believing the experienced campaigner has the ability to finish games.

Bangladesh resumes international duties with a three-match ODI series against Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium from March 11.

The series is important for the hosts as they look to fix their batting order, with questions raised over Mehidy's promotion higher up at the expense of in-form Towhid Hridoy.

"See, Miraj might prefer to play in the top six, but personally, I think Miraj is the only player who had learned how to finish. If you notice the series against India, he scored 50 batting at number eight, played a match-winning innings with Mustafiz for the last wicket, and in the next match, he scored a 100 with Mahmudullah," Ashraful told reporters at Rajshahi.

"I personally think, and I have talked to him in this BCL, that it would be good for him and for Bangladesh if he can play at number seven and finish the game. Because there are many other batsmen in our team, if they take that responsibility and he plays the finishing role, it would be better," he added.

Ashraful admitted they need to get things back in order in ODI cricket after recent jittery performances.

"See, if you look at our three formats, we are playing good cricket in two formats. ODI has been our best format for the last one or one and a half years, but we are lagging a bit in that format now. Because if you see, three big players in our middle order – Mushfiqur, Mahmudullah, and Shakib – after their departure, whoever is playing is performing but we are not getting results," he said.

"You know that to play in the 2027 World Cup, we have to be in the top seven or eight. Every series and every match is important for us. Miraj is very focused on that. We, the coaching staff, are also thinking about how we can play straight in the 2027 World Cup," he added.

Ashraful said it is time to look past Bangladesh's decision to not take part in the ongoing T20 World Cup and instead focus on the future.

"There's no point in worrying about what has already passed. If we keep dwelling on that, we won't be able to move forward. So after that, we played a wonderful T20 tournament and there were high-scoring games in the final match. Now BCL is coming up, Pakistan will visit. Life won't go on if we keep dwelling on that," said the former national skipper.

Meanwhile, Najmul Hossain Shanto insisted that the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) will be a perfect tournament to prepare for the Pakistan series.

"This is an excellent tournament for preparation. It provides opportunities for new cricketers and those playing regularly in the domestic circuit. All four teams are strong, and we are playing at two great venues where high scores are common. If we perform well here, we'll head into the Pakistan series with solid preparation," said Najmul.

The much-anticipated one-day version of the BCL is set to begin on Monday, with most of the country's top-level players featuring across four teams. On the opening day, East Zone will take on North Zone at Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra, while Central Zone will face South Zone at Rajshahi Divisional Stadium.