Soft-spoken Towhid Hridoy has ‘no regrets’ after lacking century on ODI debut

The soft-spoken Hridoy stated that he wished to keep up his aggressive intent, a mantra he developed because the disastrous BPL marketing campaign from 2022. Hridoy stated that he tried to study from Shakib throughout their partnership, however his predominant focus was on himself.

“I wanted to have the right intent,” Hridoy stated after the sport. “I didn’t try to bat to get settled at the crease. I tried to play each ball to its merit. It was a great feeling batting with Shakib bhai. He is such an experienced batter. I was learning constantly from him. I really enjoyed it. He was giving me advice at times. When I thought I needed to something, I asked him. He was encouraging me, telling to bat as deep as possible.”

Hridoy stated that it was an excellent second from him to bat with Mushfiqur within the latter a part of the Bangladesh innings, because it was a second from the wicketkeeper-batter’s profession, 16 years in the past, that impressed Hridoy within the first place.

“In 2007 when Mushfiq bhai won us the game against India in the World Cup, he took a stump from that game. When I saw that stump in person during a programme in Bogra, I was really inspired by it. I was very little. I dreamed from that day that I want to play for the national team. Today he said some inspiring words, like he wants me to serve Bangladesh cricket for a long time,” stated Hridoy.

He stated that there isn’t any remorse about not reaching the three-figure mark, when he may have been the primary from Bangladesh to take action on ODI debut. “I give all praise to Allah. I could have been out early. I am happy with what I got. I always thank Allah. I got what I was in my Rizq (provision). Hopefully I will do better next time. I have no regrets. I hope those making their debuts later, hope they can do even better,” he stated.

Hridoy is likely one of the uncommon merchandise of the BPL, a match that’s identified for organizing and administrative faults. He made 403 runs on this season’s BPL, batting in an aggressive method that nobody anticipated him to. His batting was on the explanations Sylhet Strikers reached the match last this yr.

It was additionally Hridoy’s failure within the 2022 BPL that motivated him. Hridoy was on strike within the final ball of final yr’s BPL last. He was having a woeful time with the bat, scoring runs at 97.84 strike-rate, averaging solely 17. Against Comilla Victorians’ Shohidul Islam, Hridoy hit a half-volley to cowl, simply operating a single as Fortune Barishal fell brief by one run.

“[My aggressive intent and fearless batting] started after playing badly in the 2022 BPL. I thought I should change myself since that tournament. I tried everything including changing my mentality. As much as possible. It was a bad season for me. I tried to get as far away from it.

Hridoy has had more heartbreak in his life. When he was only 12 years old, a man swindled him of a lot of money when he had come to Dhaka for the first time. It turned out that the academy he had intended to join didn’t exist at all. He nearly gave up the game before Mahmud, the former national captain and current BCB director, kept him in the straight and narrow to continue playing in the age-group levels.

“I misplaced rather a lot once I went to that academy. I did not wish to proceed enjoying cricket. My father by no means supported me to play cricket. My dad and mom do not perceive the sport however every time I was adamant with my mom, she would relent.

“Around that time when I wanted to stop playing, Sujon sir really supported me. This is from my U16 days. He always gave me opportunities from playing in the Dhaka First Division league,” he stated.

Hridoy stated that his dad and mom had been delighted along with his inclusion within the Bangladesh workforce, notably his mom who would usually go round his father’s again to assist Hridoy pursue his dream. “My parents are very happy, especially my mother. She always supported me. I was always pressured about my studies, but I didn’t really pursue it. I was focused on my cricket,” he stated.