Abdullah Al Mehdi

Rana is a sensation unlike any before in Bangladesh cricket.

The first thing that stands out about Lamine Yamal is not flair, nor is it raw skill or a penchant for trying the unobvious. It is the calm -- an eerie, composed serenity that completely belies his age.

Mosaddek Hossain, averaging 77.5 and scoring at a strike rate of 129 in the ongoing Dhaka Premier League, has been rewarded with an ODI call-up after almost four years. Ahead of his selection for Bangladesh's first two ODIs of the upcoming three-match series against Australia, the all-rounder talked about the difficulties of batting in the lower middle order and struggles during an interview with The Daily Star’s Abdullah Al Mehdi. The excerpts are as follows: 

Unlike the preceding election during Aminul Islam Bulbul’s tenure, there was no strict requirement this time to nominate councillors from ad hoc committees.

Pace is power in Test cricket, and Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto is beginning to reap its rewards. With Bangladesh’s 104-run win over Pakistan in the first Test in Mirpur, Shanto equalled Mushfiqur Rahim as the captain with the most Test wins for the Tigers, with seven victories.

Rana getting the old ball to talk had even surprised his captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Litton Das.

Aggression is one thing, but controlled aggression is a different kind of menace. Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto’s century against Pakistan on Friday in Mirpur on Day 1 of the first of two Tests, part of the World Test Championship, was a perfect example of the latter.

Ball by ball, step by step, Rana was pure bliss to watch at the Mirpur practice nets on Tuesday.