Bangladesh all-rounder Mehedi Hasan Miraz announced that he will donate his player of the series award and prize money to the family of a victim who lost his life in the anti-discrimination movement.
Miraz had a brilliant series with both bat and ball as the off-spinning all-rounder scored crucial runs and took important wickets in vital moments in both the Test matches where Bangladesh emerged victorious to clinch a historic 2-0 series sweep against hosts Pakistan.
The 26-year old gathered 155 runs in just two innings and also grabbed 10 wickets overall in two games to help the Tigers seal the series victory.
Miraz was delighted with his first ever man of the series award away from home but also remembered the martyrs of the anti-discrimination movement that shook the nation in July-August.
“Alhamdulillah, this is the first time I have won the player of the series award on an overseas tour. You all know that recently there has been trouble in our country. I want to dedicate this man of the series award to the people who passed away during the anti-discrimination movement. There was one rickshaw puller who was injured and later passed away. I want to gift this award to them,” Miraz said during the post-match presentation ceremony in Rawalpindi Tuesday.
Miraz’s 78-run innings in the first Test and 77-run knock in the second came at a crucial stage, particularly the latter where Bangladesh were struggling on 26/6.
From that point, Miraz and Liton Das formed a 165-run stand which turned the momentum of the match towards Bangladesh.
“Yes, batting at number eight is a tough job, but I just tried to rotate the strike and support the batsman at the other end. Like, I got a partnership with Mushfiqur (Rahim) bhai (first Test) and Liton (second Test) and I really enjoy batting with them,” said Miraz.
He also bowled brilliantly on day two of the second Test where the condition was more favorable for the fast bowlers after a washed out day one.
The off-spinner bowled with superb line and length and picked up five wickets which was the first time in Pakistan that a spinner got five scalps in the first innings.
“I’m really happy about the five-wicket-haul. It was difficult to bowl on this pitch as a spinner. I managed to bowl well and get five wickets, so it’s a good moment for me and hopefully In Sha Allah next time I’ll try to do even better,” he concluded.
