Saif Hassan’s batting philosophy is as simple as it gets ©AFP Bangladesh opener Saif Hassan’s batting philosophy is as simple as it gets – play straight – and it’s starting to pay off handsomely. The right-hander has been in the spotlight following his heroics against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup, an innings that not only anchored Bangladesh’s victory but also rekindled dreams of going deeper in the tournament. “Normally, I try to hit straight shots (straight down the ground) and hit with the spin, which is my strength,” Saif said after his match-winning knock against Sri Lanka. But the journey back to the Bangladesh side wasn’t straightforward. Cast aside after 2021, Saif forced his way back into the national set-up on the back of consistent domestic performances. Long regarded as a Test batter for his ability to bat time, he refused to give up, steadily sharpening his skills to shed the “long-format player” tag. Like most red-ball specialists, Saif has always been strong down the V. Over time, that quality translated into white-ball success as well. His ability to hit with the spin has become a notable weapon, something he showcased in back-to-back games against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. “Regarding spin hitting, I have worked on it for a long time and I feel I can hit with the spin and that helps,” he explained. Speaking to Cricbuzz before the tournament, Saif credited his time with Rangpur Riders in the Global Super League T20 for helping him grow into a more confident T20 batter. “Look, earlier I was not even picked in the BPL. And even if I was picked, I would get just one game or even remain unsold. But in the last two seasons, playing regularly in the BPL and then getting picked for the GSL on the back of those performances really helped me understand my T20 game,” he said. Saif also pointed to the hours he has spent working with Mohammad Salahuddin at Masco Cricket Academy as a key turning point. “I am very thankful to Salahuddin Sir as he helped me a lot. Whenever I get time I go there, work on my shortcomings, and try to improve,” Saif said. Salahuddin, now the senior assistant coach of the Bangladesh team, believes Saif has finally started to understand his own game – and credits the batter for driving that change. “If we talk about his strength, he himself wanted to change. It’s not that he didn’t play well in domestic cricket – he always could. But because of the pattern in which he grew up, it seemed like he played slow, even though he had the shots,” Salahuddin said. “That confidence maybe wasn’t inside him for a long time. But once he started playing T20s, the belief began to grow. It’s not that he couldn’t hit, but the belief wasn’t there. Earlier in his innings he would start slow, but over time he worked on it – and most importantly, the intent to improve was there. I’ve seen him practice at Masco on his off days, even when the A team had sessions in the morning. That dedication makes the difference.” “Whenever you do extra practice, only then does the opportunity come to become extraordinary. And in the specific areas where he had to improve – expanding his range of shots – he worked with extreme dedication,” he added. Salahuddin was particularly impressed with Saif’s determination. “The whole thing is actually his own willpower – the desire to change himself and work step by step. What I liked most is that he is now trying to bat according to the game’s demands and the team’s needs. Understanding the conditions, the wicket, and adapting his shots – all of this is reflected in his batting now,” he said. “Inshallah, he will do even better going forward. There are still many areas of improvement, but his willpower is his strength. He doesn’t give up, and that is one of his biggest qualities,” Salahuddin concluded. For Salahuddin, Bangladesh’s upcoming clash against India will be a major test for his pupil – a chance for Saif Hasan to show that his straight-bat philosophy can stand up on the big stage. ShareTweet
