Despite being an opener throughout his career, Parvez Hossain Emon is finding a new rhythm in his cricketing journey. In the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League, the left handed batter of Sylhet Titans wasted no time in announcing himself in style at a new position. In three innings so far, he has scored two consecutive fifties, followed by a fluent 44 off 32 balls against Dhaka Capitals on Thursday.
Emon has opened up about embracing his new role with the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in mind. Speaking to TIMES of Bangladesh about whether he is enjoying the change, Emon said, “I am enjoying it a lot. I am taking it as a challenge. Honestly, I have never really played much at number four before. So it is a new role. I am trying to give my best there.”
The Bangladesh Under-19 World Cup winner, who is also a wicketkeeper, has already taken two catches and displayed some impressive glove work. While he has kept wickets in domestic cricket before, his skills behind the stumps have rarely been in the spotlight at this level.
“Of course, having a second option is always good. So I am trying to make the most of this opportunity and do it properly,” Emon said about his wicketkeeping role.
He has already produced two fifties at number four. Introduced at that position in the tournament opener against Rajshahi Warriors, Emon played a blistering knock of 65 off 33 balls, hitting five sixes and four boundaries. That was followed by a 60 run innings against Noakhali Express in a last ball thriller, before another promising 44 against Dhaka Capitals.
Those numbers and his clear batting intent underline his ability to perform down the order despite being an out and out opener by nature. Adapting to the new role, however, required a significant mental shift. “It was mostly mental. The most important thing was the mindset. I am just trying to understand how to play when I go in there and play accordingly,” he explained.
Asked about the message from the team management, Emon revealed it was largely driven by his own initiative. “I actually told the team management that I wanted to play a few matches here. So the management supported me in that,” he recalled.
In his 30 T20I appearances for Bangladesh, Emon has batted at number three and number four only once each. Interestingly, his last international outing against Ireland also saw him batting at number four.
With the Bangladesh selectors keen on players who can offer tactical flexibility in the playing eleven, Emon is clearly eyeing that opportunity with the World Cup in focus. He credited the Sylhet management for backing him in this transition.
“With the World Cup coming up and wicketkeeping also being part of it, that was one of the reasons they supported me. Miraz bhai is there, and Sohel sir has supported me a lot,” he said.
A natural spin hitter and an aggressive batter, Emon has drawn praise for his approach. On Thursday, Chattogram Royals team director Habibul Bashar Sumon also lauded his batting while he was taking apart the Dhaka bowling attack.
Asked how he balances aggression with match situations, Emon replied with his trademark smile, “You have to understand the situation. What the team needs and what the situation demands. Conditions are very important too. What are the conditions. Based on that, you have to bat accordingly.”
Despite the strong start, Emon believes he still has more to prove in the new role as he remains one of the frontrunners for a top order spot in Bangladesh’s World Cup plans.
“A player being able to play wherever the team needs him is crucial. So I am trying, but I would not say yet that I have fully adapted. I am just trying to give my best,” he said.
