'Don’t raise someone too high too quickly', Salahuddin on Saif’s comeback
Selectors said they trusted Saif’s ability to contribute in multiple roles, which led to his recall after nearly two years away from international cricket.
In discussions around the Asia Cup, Nurul Hasan was more in the spotlight than Saif Hassan. That is why Saif's inclusion in Bangladesh's squad for the continental tournament was considered a surprise.
Selectors said they trusted Saif's ability to contribute in multiple roles, which led to his recall after nearly two years away from international cricket. He repaid some of that faith yesterday against the Netherlands. In the opening T20I of the series in Sylhet, he took two wickets with the ball and then scored an unbeaten 36 off 19 balls.
Speaking to broadcasters after the match, Saif said senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin had played a big part in his comeback, as he had worked with him for a long time.
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Before today's optional training session in Sylhet, Salahuddin was asked at the press conference about Saif's return. He told reporters, "I've asked you before — don't raise someone too high too quickly. And don't pull someone down too quickly either."
Saif's comeback is somewhat surprising. At the start of his career he was seen as more suited to Test cricket. He made his international debut in that format but his six-match Test career stalled without a half-century.
He did not find much success in T20Is either. Before yesterday's game against the Dutch, he had been dismissed for a duck in three of his five innings. But he changed his role in domestic cricket, batting at three or four and also focusing more on his bowling.
Salahuddin pointed to Saif's mental strength as the key behind his return in 2023. "When anyone falls behind, not everyone can find their way back. Since he had that label of being a Test cricketer, the determination he showed to break free from that is not something everyone has. Improvement is necessary of course, but he put in the effort himself. He wanted to see himself in a different role."
After being dropped from the national side in 2021, Saif only played in the Asian Games before this recall. Salahuddin believes that by continuing to perform with both bat and ball against the Netherlands, Saif can keep improving. "Many people try, but patience for many lasts a month, two months, maybe a year. But with him, I've seen patience for four years. That's a big thing… how long you can stay patient. Perhaps now he is reaping the rewards, and maybe in the future he'll do even better."
