Mehidy Hasan, the Bangladesh all-rounder, has stated that being able to use his big knocks as a reference point, has allowed him to improve his game with the bat.
For a long while, Mehidy was seen as a batter who could score some quick runs lower down the order by swinging his bat. However, a series of terrific performances with the bat in the recent past has improved his credibility and importance in the team with what was for long his secondary skill.
Mehidy's true batting potential came shining in the 50-over format when he scripted a memorable comeback in Afif Hossain's company against Afghanistan in the three-match series opener at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in February 2022.
From that point of time, Mehidy has played 16 innings in 22 ODIs, scoring 432 runs at an average of 39.27 with a strike-rate of 83.27 that includes his unbeaten maiden hundred against India that helped him to repay back faith of the team management. He also picked 30 wickets along the way.
The all-rounder takes all his performances as a reference point to develop his self-belief by visualizing his preparation in order to succeed at the international level.
"We always say that we believe we can win matches. I feel there is a way to earn this belief," Mehidy told Cricbuzz. "If I say that I believe, it won't happen unless there is some reference point that helps grow that belief or faith. You can only have that belief when your mind is clear regarding any specific work.
"You must be clear about the work and you cannot be confused because the moment you are confused, you will lack confidence. When your mind is clear, you can make decisions very quickly.
"When you have those references at the back of your mind, you can visualize it and imagine while you can also make plans. When you can visualize you can plan beforehand how you want to respond to different situations.
"I have the self-belief that I can bat and there are a lot of reference points, like the match against Afghanistan and the hundred against India. I have some references for batting higher up the order in the Under-19 and was the man of the tournament in that competition. I plan about my batting taking these references and now I am batting much more confidently."
The offspinning all-rounder even opened up about the importance of handling pressure situations better.
"I think it is all about mental preparation. If you know how to release your pressure in that case, it will help you perform. If you know how to handle pressure situations, naturally it makes everything easier.
"When I will think that I am nothing without cricket and cannot spend my life without it, it will be pressure for me. When you are doing anything with pressure in mind, your head doesn't work sharply because it affects lot of things from blood circulation to decision-making and a lot more. If you can put that pressure aside it will help you to express yourself.
