‘No better preparation than winning matches’

Despite a middling T20I debut in New Zealand earlier this year, left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed has emerged as one of the go-to men in Bangladesh's spin bowling department.

The 26-year-old gained confidence from the home series against Australia, during which he was the highest wicket-taker for Bangladesh with eight wickets from five games at an economy of 5.11.

Nasum has displayed an aptitude for bowling during the Powerplay overs, when batsmen tend to go after bowlers and also shown maturity when it comes to keeping batsman quiet and also picking those crucial wickets at the top of the order.

Courtesy of Nasum and Mustafizur Rahman's four-wicket hauls, New Zealand were bundled out for just 93 runs in the fourth match as Bangladesh sealed their first bilateral T20I series triumph against New Zealand yesterday.

"In terms of adjustments, I tried to hit the seam consistently and at times tried a few cross-seam deliveries. Since the wicket was turning, I tried to bowl a particular line and length consistently. When it comes to my role in the Powerplay, I was actually never told to pick wickets. Instead, the captain has given me freedom to bowl and look for dot balls," the man of the match told media yesterday.

Nasum broke the Kiwi batting line-up by removing openers Rachin Ravindra and Finn Allen and followed it by removing Henry Nicholls and Colin de Grandhomme with beautiful turning deliveries in the 12th over and finding himself on a hattrick.

"I enjoyed Finn Allen's dismissal when he was undone while going for a reverse sweep. Mahmudullah Riyad bhai told me to bowl a bit slower as he tried to reverse me couple of times. I saw him moving so I bowled a bit quicker and he was unable to time the ball," Nasum added.

Nasum, who registered his career-best bowling figures of four for 19 against Australia in the previous series, seemed to grow in confidence and surpassed his previous best bowling figures as he ended with bagging four wickets at the cost of just 10 runs from his four overs, two of which were maidens.

Although the pitch in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in the Middle East is expected to favour batsmen, according to Nasum it will be important to perform consistently regardless of the surface.

"I think there is no better preparation than winning matches as it gives you a lot of confidence as a unit. I believe that we will be able to perform well in the World Cup," he added.