As wickets tumbled one after the other towards the end of yesterday's afternoon Bangladesh Premier League game, many expected Rajshahi Kings to send in Mehedi Hasan Miraz, as they were running out of batters.

But that just was not happening. Abul Hasan was sent in at seven, Forhad Reza at eight and Mohammad Sami at nine. Miraz, who has scored centuries for his under-19 team under tense scenarios, has five first-class 50s from 14 matches and is considered by Test skipper Mushfiqur Rahim and other national players as a cricketer who has the ability to bat well in the near future, was sent in at 10.

Eventually, all Mehedi could do was encourage the batsman on strike since he did not get to play a single delivery. Khulna Titans ended up stealing a three-run win from Rajshahi.

The move even left Rajshahi's opposing skipper perplexed.

“I was a little surprised because I was expecting him to come earlier. He is capable and he should be given more opportunity. That's my personal opinion,” said Titans' skipper Mahmudullah Riyad at the post-match press conference yesterday.