Bangladesh openers Saif Hassan and Soumya Sarkar produced a masterclass in handling spin on one of Mirpur’s toughest pitches, putting together a 176-run opening partnership in the series-deciding third ODI against the West Indies. It was the second-highest opening partnership ever in ODIs for Bangladesh.
On a wicket where Bangladesh hardly went past 200 in the first game, seemed to be cruising towards the mark in the third. How did Saif and Soumya negotiate with such conditions with such expertise?
For nearly a quarter of the innings, the ball turned around 4°, making batting a challenge even for set players. But the Bangladesh opening duo read the conditions perfectly and turned a trial of survival into a display of dominance.
Saif Hassan scored a fluent 80 off 72 balls, hitting six fours and six sixes. Soumya Sarkar was equally impressive, making 91 from 86 deliveries with seven fours and four sixes. Together, they helped Bangladesh hit 11 sixes within 35 overs – the team’s highest number of sixes in an ODI at Mirpur.
The secret behind their success lay in how they tackled the turn and spin-heavy attack of Akeal Hosein and Roston Chase. Instead of getting stuck at the crease, both openers stepped out fearlessly. They came down the track to reach the pitch of the ball, using their feet to take the turn out of play.
They also used the reverse sweep to great effect, often going with the turn rather than against it. This approach turned spin from a threat into an advantage. Saif’s classy straight-bat shots against Akeal and Motie stood out, while Soumya mixed innovation with power.
Among Saif’s 12 boundaries and over-boundaries, two fours came from reverse sweeps, and four sixes came from confident shimmies down the ground. Soumya added flair of his own – one six and one four from lofted reverse sweeps, and another six from a slog sweep.
Their intent and footwork made all the difference. When they couldn’t use the turn, they neutralized it by advancing down the wicket. It was a smart and brave display of batting, built on courage and adaptability.
They say when the going gets tough, the tough get going, and in Mirpur, Saif and Soumya truly did.
