'Missing out is a lesson'

Young batsman Mosaddek Hossain struck a match-saving unbeaten hundred for South Zone just two days after news that the 22-year-old was one of six cricketers axed from the 2018 national central contracts list by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for a lack of performance.

Although the move from the BCB was mostly justified and appreciated because of its focus on performance, Mosaddek is perhaps the only one who may consider himself a touch unlucky as he got precious few opportunities since making his Test debut with a fifty against Sri Lanka in March last year.

He was laid low for much of 2017 with an eye infection – missing the home series against Australia and the tour of South Africa -- and when he made his comeback in the first Test against Sri Lanka in January this year, he was dropped for the next match despite a mature second-innings effort that ensured a draw.

Mosaddek, who has a first-class average of 67.94, scored just 16 runs in the two innings against Sri Lanka, but his 53-ball eight in the second innings was vital in the context of the game as the home side were in a spot of bother.

He however did have an indifferent Dhaka Premier League, scoring just one fifty in 15 matches for Abahani.

But he moved past that with an unbeaten 107-ball 102 in the fourth and final day for South Zone yesterday. Despite carrying an injury on his left shoulder picked up on the second day while fielding, Mosaddek carried his side from a shaky 348 for six, and a lead of 237, at the start of the day to 484 for eight and an unlikely target of 374 runs for Central Zone.

"Actually, I was not supposed to bat today [Friday] as I injured my left shoulder. I had to rush to the hospital for X-Rays and there was also some pain. I was a bit worried as I heard a sound during the impact. But next day I had to bat as my team was in a difficult situation; the team management asked me to just go and hang in. Initially I tried to stay at the crease but when my body warmed up I started playing my shots. My main aim was not to give my wicket away and look for singles and doubles and in the process I reached my hundred," Mosaddek told The Daily Star over the phone yesterday.

The youngster sounded unperturbed and positive about missing out on the contract. "It was never in my mind; I only tried to play my normal game. But still, I think missing out on the central contract is a lesson for me and I will try to become more consistent, be it in the national team or in the domestic circuit, and look to earn that [contract] back with my performance in the coming days.