Positive mindset brings rewards for Imrul

As recently as last week, Imrul Kayes was still learning how an approach that involved having a premeditated mindset could radically change his batting. He has since implemented the game plan twice in four days, and on both occasions struck centuries.

His 112 in the first ODI against England was his best innings in the format, though his dismissal took a bit of the sheen off the innings that began with a rousing six over square-leg that burst a hole inside an advertising board deep into the Shere Bangla National Stadium’s grandstand. That century was a follow-up to his 121 for the BCB XI in England’s warm-up match on Tuesday.

Following that innings, which he also started with a cracking boundary off Chris Woakes, Imrul said that it was Chandika Hathurusingha’s advice that made him change tack.

It has taken him more than eight years of playing at the international level to appreciate that there is nothing wrong in getting out of his shell to use his full potential. The hundred in Mirpur was testament of his ability to accept that he needed to change his approach to batting. It is also another feather in the cap of the coach Hathurusingha who has now made a difference to the career of yet another international cricketer.

While Imrul’s Test career finally took off in 2014, he never quite hit the same note in the limited-overs game. He has opened in all but seven of his 60 matches, but was always playing second fiddle to Tamim Iqbal. Even when he did well, Imrul always seemed to struggle to pace his innings suitably.

Since his debut in 2008, under Mohammad …

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