Mohammad Naim Sheikh one of the top order batters of Bangladesh under keen observation of head coach Chandika Hathurusingha ahead of the Afghanistan tour of Bangladesh.
Though the T20 and the ODI series against Afghanistan was scheduled for July following the only Test match from June 14 and Naim Sheikh is not in the Test squad, Hathuru Shingha strictly watching the video clip of his performances in the recently concluded Dhaka Premier League cricket.
Naim the prolific opener was the highest contributor to make Abahani Limited champions in the Dhaka Premier League with scoring 932 runs.
Naim’s 932 was also the highest runs in the DPL in 2023 season when he scored the total in 16 innings with an impressive average of 71.69 and striking rate 91:64 and his rousing performances drew the attention of coach Hathuru.
Hathuru, after having the message of Naim’s encouraging performances in the season, collected the video and eagerly watched his performances.
Naim, the batting prodigy, who made his T20 debut against India in 2019 after impressing immediately form in the season (2019) in the DPL by finishing the tournament with 807 runs at 53.80, with three centuries, had a mixed experience in India.
The then 20-year-old opener Naim replaced Tamim Iqbal, who ruled out himself from the format.
A tall left-handed batsman, Mohammad Naim justified his inclusion in the team with a promising show in the T20 series against India. Though in first two matches could not shine in accordance with his ability when he scored 26 off 28 balls in his debut match, 36 off 31 balls in the second but showed his mettle with a sublime 48 ball-81 studded by 10 fours and a couple of over-boundaries in the series decider, though Bangladesh lost the match.
But the young batter cut a sorry figure against Afghanistan, Australia and England in a row. The bad-patch started against Afghanistan when he could score only 21 runs in three matches with highest 13 runs and the bad-patch continued against Australia, as he managed only 108 runs in six innings with 30 was the highest and against England it was more disappointing when scored only five runs in a match.
Naim could not get rid of the tough time and regain his form in the T20 World Cup and eventually was dropped but considering the performances of this season Naim again is not thinking too far ahead of Afghanistan tour of Bangladesh.
Hathuru, specially, watching Naim’s weakness against the spin bowling and might be he (Hathuru) would work to identify the mistakes and will make him perfect.
But, seesingly it would be too tough for Naim to make a room in the XI when Litton Das, Nazmul Hossain Shanto – all are doing well.
