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Bangladesh are currently playing the first Test of the two-match Test series against the England in Chittagong. The 'tigers' put up an impressive show with the ball in the first innings by restricting a formidable England line-up to a reasonably good total of 293 runs, thanks to a gritty performance from the young debutant Mehedi Hasan.
The right-arm off-spinner took 6 wickets in the first innings by giving away just 80 runs in nearly 40 overs. The youngster became the youngest Bangladeshi and the second youngest bowler in the cricketing history to take a 5-wicket haul on Test debut.
The 18-year-old also holds the record for the most number of overs bowled on the first day by a Bangladeshi bowler. Mehedi received heaps of praise from all corners for the stellar show that he put up as he was applauded for the temperament that he showed on his international debut.
Following his performance, Mehedi said that he learnt off-spin after watching former Indian off-spinner Ramesh Powar bowling on TV.
"Though I have never met him, Ramesh Power is my hero. I used to watch him play IPL matches on TV and took inspiration from him," Mehedi was quoted as saying by CricTracker.
Mehedi went on to add, "It was because the captain, Mushfiqur Rahim, had faith in me. I was also encouraged by the senior members of the team and special thanks to Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan for their kind words."
However, Mehedi was disappointed with the fact that his parents didn't get to watch his debut. His father was a truck driver until last year and stays with his mother in Khulna, which is around 350 km from Chittagong.
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Ramesh Powar, on learning that the Bangladeshi spinner was inspired by his bowling, said that he was really happy for the youngster. Powar said that he had watched Hasan bowling in the first innings and was pretty impressed.
"I have just watched Mehedi's bowling in the first innings. He looks a classical off-spinner. I feel very nice to see (him) getting inspiration from my bowling," he was quoted as saying by CricTracker. It is to be noted that Mehedi was the captain of Bangladesh under-19 team and has played only 12 first-class matches.
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