NEW DELHI: In a team known for showing its emotions, Hasan Mahmud stands out as a calm presence. He doesn't indulge in over-the-top celebrations or display the typical aggression of a fast bowler. Instead, he is making a name for himself with his skillful bowling.
On the first day of the first Test against India in Chennai, the 24-year-old Bangladesh bowler stole the show with a three-wicket performance in the opening session. He managed to dismiss top-tier batsmen including Rohit Sharma , Virat Kohli , and Shubman Gill .
Given the caliber of players he took out in just his fourth Test, one might have expected an elaborate celebration. However, Mahmud kept it simple with a few high-fives and handshakes with his teammates.
"I don't really celebrate and there's no real reason why. You could say that if I celebrate after taking a wicket, it will make the batter feel more upset so that's why I don't celebrate," he explained during a press conference, as quoted by PTI.
After the day's play, Mahmud expressed his happiness about taking the wickets of prominent players like Kohli, Rohit, and later, Rishabh Pant in the second session.
"I'm just happy. When you take their wickets who are the best right now, naturally one would be happy," Mahmud said, noting that his career has been hampered by injuries.
Born into a farming family in a village near Chattogram, Mahmud is a product of Bangladesh's development programs. He has been highly praised by South African pace legend Allan Donald and former West Indies fast bowler Ottis Gibson.
Both have been part of Bangladesh's coaching staff in the past. Additionally, Russell Domingo has described Mahmud's ability to swing the ball as "god-gifted."
Mahmud showcased his talent during Bangladesh’s historic Test series win in Pakistan recently, and he delivered again on Thursday against a formidable Indian batting lineup.
"I was in my zone. So, it's been very joyful, whoever's wickets you are taking, any batsman. So, it's been very good," he said after the day's play.
"My plan was very simple. I keep the ball in shape every time and try to bowl a bit up, seam up and shape the ball out or in any time. So, I was trying that."
Mahmud advanced through the Bangladesh Cricket Board's age-group structure, starting with Chattogram Under-16 in 2015.
In 2018, he joined the Bangladesh squad for the U-19 World Cup in New Zealand, finishing as the team's second-highest wicket-taker.
The following year, he was selected for the U-23 squad, participating in the Emerging Teams Asia Cup and the South Asian Games.
Mahmud's impressive performances in the Dhaka Premier League, Bangladesh Premier League, and Bangladesh Cricket League led to his maiden T20 International call-up against Zimbabwe in 2020. He made his One-Day International debut the following year.
However, it wasn't until four years later that he made his Test debut against Sri Lanka earlier this year, where he took six wickets.
When asked how he stayed motivated during the waiting period, Mahmud said, "At that time, I used to play our first-class matches at home. So, I used to try my best there before I got the call-up."
"So, I am doing very well now. I want to keep it that way."
One remarkable aspect of Mahmud's bowling is his ability to move the ball in both directions.
"I will keep trying to improve my bowling movement as much as I can. But, I want to thank everyone for helping me," he added.
Talking about his performance in this match, Mahmud noted, "I think during the day, from the morning, it was like the ball zipped on the wicket. Later on, the wicket got settled, and the ball was coming to the bat nicely. Still, the fast bowler is getting the zip."
"We were trying to dominate from the morning, but the wicket has improved a lot now. So, we are trying to minimize the runs and the boundary."
"The momentum was with us at one point, but now it has shifted to the other side. Anything can happen. Tomorrow, we get another chance and we will try to work on it," he concluded.
On the first day of the first Test against India in Chennai, the 24-year-old Bangladesh bowler stole the show with a three-wicket performance in the opening session. He managed to dismiss top-tier batsmen including Rohit Sharma , Virat Kohli , and Shubman Gill .
Given the caliber of players he took out in just his fourth Test, one might have expected an elaborate celebration. However, Mahmud kept it simple with a few high-fives and handshakes with his teammates.
"I don't really celebrate and there's no real reason why. You could say that if I celebrate after taking a wicket, it will make the batter feel more upset so that's why I don't celebrate," he explained during a press conference, as quoted by PTI.
After the day's play, Mahmud expressed his happiness about taking the wickets of prominent players like Kohli, Rohit, and later, Rishabh Pant in the second session.
"I'm just happy. When you take their wickets who are the best right now, naturally one would be happy," Mahmud said, noting that his career has been hampered by injuries.
Born into a farming family in a village near Chattogram, Mahmud is a product of Bangladesh's development programs. He has been highly praised by South African pace legend Allan Donald and former West Indies fast bowler Ottis Gibson.
Both have been part of Bangladesh's coaching staff in the past. Additionally, Russell Domingo has described Mahmud's ability to swing the ball as "god-gifted."
Mahmud showcased his talent during Bangladesh’s historic Test series win in Pakistan recently, and he delivered again on Thursday against a formidable Indian batting lineup.
"I was in my zone. So, it's been very joyful, whoever's wickets you are taking, any batsman. So, it's been very good," he said after the day's play.
"My plan was very simple. I keep the ball in shape every time and try to bowl a bit up, seam up and shape the ball out or in any time. So, I was trying that."
Mahmud advanced through the Bangladesh Cricket Board's age-group structure, starting with Chattogram Under-16 in 2015.
In 2018, he joined the Bangladesh squad for the U-19 World Cup in New Zealand, finishing as the team's second-highest wicket-taker.
The following year, he was selected for the U-23 squad, participating in the Emerging Teams Asia Cup and the South Asian Games.
Mahmud's impressive performances in the Dhaka Premier League, Bangladesh Premier League, and Bangladesh Cricket League led to his maiden T20 International call-up against Zimbabwe in 2020. He made his One-Day International debut the following year.
However, it wasn't until four years later that he made his Test debut against Sri Lanka earlier this year, where he took six wickets.
When asked how he stayed motivated during the waiting period, Mahmud said, "At that time, I used to play our first-class matches at home. So, I used to try my best there before I got the call-up."
"So, I am doing very well now. I want to keep it that way."
One remarkable aspect of Mahmud's bowling is his ability to move the ball in both directions.
"I will keep trying to improve my bowling movement as much as I can. But, I want to thank everyone for helping me," he added.
Talking about his performance in this match, Mahmud noted, "I think during the day, from the morning, it was like the ball zipped on the wicket. Later on, the wicket got settled, and the ball was coming to the bat nicely. Still, the fast bowler is getting the zip."
"We were trying to dominate from the morning, but the wicket has improved a lot now. So, we are trying to minimize the runs and the boundary."
"The momentum was with us at one point, but now it has shifted to the other side. Anything can happen. Tomorrow, we get another chance and we will try to work on it," he concluded.
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