‘Prepared myself mentally in the DPL’

Mosaddek Hossain has been the surprise package of sorts in the World Cup for Bangladesh. His inclusion in the World Cup squad was out of the blue because he was not included in the squad for the New Zealand tour in February, and it was thought that, because of a perceived weakness against pace, he was not an obvious choice for a World Cup on pace-friendly wickets. Seven matches into the World Cup, however, he has become a regular member. His batting improvements against pace -- seen in the 26-ball 52 that won the tri-series final in Ireland against West Indies and the late-order cameos in World Cup wins against South Africa and Afghanistan -- were because of mental preparation, according to the 23-year-old.

“Actually I am not thinking too much about the tri-series final in Ireland. Before the World Cup I prepared myself mentally to perform better. I knew I had to play well if I got the opportunity. I just tried to prepare myself accordingly so that whenever the team needs, I can deliver,” Mosaddek said in Birmingham yesterday.

Trying to score quick runs at number seven is a tough proposition for a batsman who averages nearly 60 in first-class cricket, but Mosaddek said that he tried to play in that manner even while batting higher up in the order for Abahani in this season’s Dhaka Premier League.

“Batting at number seven is challenging, not just for me but for everyone. There is limited time to get settled down because at number seven, we need to score quick runs and always have to utilise scoring options. I tried to bat keeping these things in mind in the Dhaka Premier League, to score at a better strike rate,” Mosaddek added.

Part of the reason that he has become a regular is that he has seized the opportunity provided by Mahmudullah Riyad’s shoulder injury. It opened up a role for a part-time off-spinner, and Mosaddek has fulfilled that admirably in the matches so far.

“I knew that I would need to bowl five-six overs in a match. My job is to keep the pressure and bowl enough dot balls, rather than taking wickets regularly. I am focusing on that,” Mosaddek added.

About Bangladesh’s prospects in the match against frontrunners India at Edgbaston on July 2, Mosaddek sounded a confident note. “I think with the state we have reached in this tournament, we do not have to think about India or any other team. It is better that we keep playing the way we have been.”