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Naim provides glimpse of Tigers future


Bangladeshpost
Published : 11 Nov 2019 05:59 PM | Updated : 31 Aug 2020 06:28 AM

If Deepak Chahar had not turned the tables on Bangladesh in the series decider on Sunday, 20-year-old Bangladesh opener Mohammad Naim probably would not have slipped under the radar. On an evening that would be remembered for Chahar's record returns of 6 for 7, Naim played his breakthrough knock in only his third international innings, reports ESPNCricinfo.

Naim's 48-ball 81 should not be too far away in the overall analysis, though. Bangladesh were in the game as long as he was at the crease, which in itself is an important contribution from a newcomer who is on his first international assignment. While the rest of the Bangladesh batsmen struggled against Yuzvendra Chahal, Naim dominated the legspinner, welcoming him with three consecutive fours in the sixth over, and finishing with 29 off 11 balls against him. It is a small success for Bangladesh as they look to find a new batch of young cricketers to take them forward.

Two tactical changes made by Naim made his innings that much more impressive. Both his previous innings in the series, in Delhi and Rajkot, had ended with top-edged slog sweeps. This time, he didn't go aerial with the shot at all, and instead milked ones and twos through midwicket even when the lengths were enticing enough for the shot.

He also played the patience game at the start. Two quick wickets in the third over meant he could not look to dominate the Indian bowlers in the powerplay. But as soon as Chahal came on to bowl, Naim went on the offensive. He reduced the effect of Chahal's length by driving him straight and over long-on, before the legspinner went a bit short, which Naim countered with a square cut. 

The straight drive and late-cut off Shivam Dube too stood out during his innings, as did his inside-out shot over cover off Chahal.