On selectors’ radar, Amite ‘ever-ready’ for national call-up

Wicketkeeper-batter Amite Hasan has emerged as a standout performer in the ongoing National Cricket League (NCL), impressing with his consistency. The 23-year-old tops the run charts with 567 runs in eight innings, averaging 81, including his maiden double century and consecutive centuries. Captaining Sylhet for the first time, Amite has guided his team to the verge of their maiden NCL title, with a decent lead in the points table and two matches remaining. In an interview with The Daily Star's Samsul Arefin Khan, Amite shared insights on his and Sylhet's NCL journey, as well as his thoughts on the national team. The excerpts are as follows:

The Daily Star (DS): How satisfied are you with the overall scenario?

Amite Hasan (AH): We've played really well in our opening five games, but still have two matches left, so we are not thinking big right now. Our next match is against Barishal... There is no option for us to be complacent.

DS: Are you enjoying leading the side?

AH: I'm definitely enjoying the captaincy. Many of our players have played for the national team, and they have also played in Tests. So, the captaincy seems easy for me.

DS: Perhaps your performance is also making it easy.

AH: I don't feel the same way. From a batsman's point of view, I always try to contribute to the team as much as possible.

DS: You have been consistent throughout the five rounds of the ongoing NCL. What was going through your mind before the start of the league?

AH: I was in the HP [High Performance] camp before the NCL. I had good practice there. Before the start of the NCL, we [Sylhet Division] also had a camp in Sylhet and played a few practice matches. Personally, I never make big plans. I always try to plan match by match.

DS: Your conversion rate is impressive, with half of your 18 first-class fifties turning into hundreds. What's your mindset after reaching fifty?

AH: I always have a simple plan. When I score a fifty, I try to score another fifty by keeping the first fifty aside. I always set small targets during my innings. It could be five runs, ten runs.

DS: In this regard, have you consulted with someone?

AH: I have been working with Rajin Saleh sir for the last five years. I discuss a lot about my batting with him.

DS: You hail from Narayanganj but play for Sylhet in the NCL. What's the story behind this?

AH: When I was in the U-19 team in 2019, Hannan [Sarkar] sir called me one day and told me to travel to Rajshahi to play a first-class match for Sylhet. At that time, I had just played two youth Tests against Sri Lanka. And that's how I joined the Sylhet team, and my first-class career started from there.

DS: After your NCL performance, selectors say you're in contention to represent the national team. Do you feel ready?

AH: I've been in the HP Unit for the last three years. I think I'm very much under the radar of the selectors. Those who are in the national team pipeline are playing in the HP Unit. Right now, my focus is on the NCL so that I can finish it well. As a player, I'm ever-ready to represent the national team.

DS: Test cricket demands patience. What's your mindset after arriving at the crease?

AH: I think fitness is an issue for a wicketkeeper-batsman. You need to work really hard to keep wickets as well as bat for a long time in longer-format cricket. I think I have worked well on fitness in the HP Unit. Regarding long batting, I don't overthink much, like scoring a hundred or fifty before going to the crease; instead, I always look to begin my innings normally.

DS: Could you reflect on the early days of your cricketing journey?

AH: I started playing cricket in 2014. Like other players, I initially played in my locality. After watching me play, my elder brother [Amanullah Ani] decided to take me to Puran [Old] Dhaka for further training and introduced me to Sayem Asif Mahin bhai.