Hridoys Fighting Knock Amid a Batting Collapse: What He Said About Criticism and the Teams Challenges

The gallery of the Bir Shrestha Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram was still heavy with post-match disappointment. One side of the dressing room remained silent, while the media prepared their barrage of questions on the other. Even on a night of a severe batting collapse, Towhid Hridoy fought almost single-handedly. His career-best innings could not prevent Bangladesh’s big defeat, but it did reduce the margin. In such a situation, Hridoy appeared before the press as the team’s representative.

Chasing a target of 182, Bangladesh were restricted to just 142 for 9. While Ireland batted with relative ease on the same surface, Bangladesh’s failure appeared even more glaring. Hridoy admitted this openly.

Addressing the journalists at the press conference, Hridoy said,

“You have every right to criticize from your position. At times, even one or two of your comments bring changes within us.”

Further clarifying his view on criticism, he added,

“I would just request you to criticize logically. We often go overboard on certain issues. But when there is criticism, we receive a message, and it creates a path for improvement.”

In this match, Hridoy remained unbeaten on a career-best 83 off 50 balls, hitting 7 fours and 3 sixes. But despite his brilliance, the overall picture of the batting lineup remains worrying. Among Test-playing nations this year, Bangladesh’s middle order has the lowest strike rate — just 116.07.

When asked whether improvement is necessary in such a situation, the young batter replied,

“Not just the middle order — there is room for improvement everywhere, from the openers to the last batter. If we improve, better results will definitely come.”

Though Hridoy is regularly seen as an opener in the BPL, he usually bats lower down the order in the national team. But in this match in Chattogram, he batted at No. 3 and produced a superb innings. Explaining this, Hridoy said,

“Cricket is not an individual game; it’s a team game. At the moment, my place in the team is not at the top, so I have to bat lower.”

He also addressed the added expectations, criticism, and questions about his place in the team. Hridoy said,

“Many people may think I don’t deserve to be in the team. But I am fine where I am. Those who are playing in the top order are in great form and performing well — you can understand that if you watch them. I have no regrets. That’s life. Whenever I get a chance, wherever I bat, I try to give my best for the team.”