“He is special.”  That was how chief selector Faruque Ahmed rated Nazmul Hossain's unbeaten hundred against Scotland in the second group match of the ICC Under-19 World Cup here yesterday.

“He has got the great ability to build an innings without creating any pressure on the team. He can pick singles, can hit the ball hard and overall his body movement is fantastic. It is too early to say what kind of player he will be in future but without any doubt he has got the potential,” explained the former national skipper.

A rare ability of Nazmul's, which invited praise from all quarters, is his ability to play normal cricket under pressure.  The left-hander showed it against South Africa during a 73-run knock in the opening match at Chittagong and those qualities were on display once more in the second match against Scotland during his unbeaten 113.

And the batsman from Rajshahi also said after the match that he enjoys batting under pressure.

“I enjoy it (batting under pressure). Whenever I get this kind of situation I want to do my best to serve my team's purpose.  Earlier I had a problem in finishing matches but now things have changed and I believe it will help me to become a good cricketer,” said player-of-the-match Nazmul.

He said that it was a special day for him as he made century and his team advanced to the Super League.  When he was reminded that he also became the highest run-getter in youth ODIs, Nazmul said: “I learned about it last night. I thought it would be fantastic if I could do it but it was not on my mind when I was batting. My mother and father were especially about the achievement. And it was Miraz who was happier than me and got emotional at the middle when I scored 62 runs.”

Captain Mehedi Hasan Miraz also echoed the sentiment. “We are good friends and have been playing cricket together for the last six years. When he achieved the feat it seemed like I achieved it and that's why I got emotional.  I also wanted to take two more wickets so that I could become the highest wicket-taker but unfortunately it did not happen.”

Coach Mizanur Rahman praised Nazmul's second youth ODI hundred with a brief sentence: “This guy deserves a hundred.”