Meeting Dhoni changed my perspective on wicketkeeping: Bangladesh keeper Nurul Hasan

Former India captain and a legend of the game, MS Dhoni is an institution in himself is not just a statement, but a fact that has been proved time and again. There is yet another evidence of the same that has come up with Bangladesh wicketkeeper batter Nurul Hasan confirming how he upgraded his wicketkeeping skills after getting suggestions from Dhoni. 

“I also took some advice from MS Dhoni about keeping because Dhoni was the first keeper from Asia to change the traditional ways of keeping,” he said in an interview with Cricbuzz. “I met with Dhoni in the Asia Cup and Champions Trophy and we spoke about keeping. I agree with his logic that it's important to see the ball till the last moment and understand the ball's movement,” Nurul added.  

The 28-year-old made comeback to international cricket in 2021 after having great Dhaka Premier League and BPL in 2019 and 2020 continuously. Since then he has been treated in the side as a finisher and a proactive wicketkeeper, the same that Dhoni played for India. 

Talking about his wicketkeeping, Hasan said, “In a simple way, I can say it's just about being proactive. The ball can beat a batter anytime. I must think from behind the stumps about the bowling movement because when the ball beats a batter, there is less time for a keeper to cover the ball.”

A domestic player from Khulna Division, Nurul shot to prominence as a wicketkeeper because of his ability to keep to almost every bowler brilliantly in the domestic circuit. Asked about how he kept to Mustafizur Rahman, he explains, “Undoubtedly Mustafizur is a very good bowler. I just try to predict the movement when the ball is rolling.” 

“When Mustafiz bowls, he bowls cutters regularly and I feel I can read his other variations quite well. At times it becomes difficult considering he's got a lot of variation. But, for me, nothing is easy or nothing is tough but the most important thing is to follow the ball till the last moment and there lies the real challenge,” he added further. 

Nurul also played a Test match after a gap of four years when he took to field in place of an injured Mushfiqur Rahim during the second Test against New Zealand in Christchurch. Although he played as a substitute in the second test against Pakistan at home in 2021, this was his proper first game after the initial first three Tests in 2017-18. 

Talking about his chirping behind the wicket, Nurul says, “I like to be busy behind the wickets all the time and I got this naturally. Sometimes I miss a catch behind the stumps and let myself down but later I realize that missed chances are a part of the game. But one of my basic responsibilities is to pump up my team and teammates. I just try to ensure I am doing that.”

The wicketkeeper batter would be seen soon in the upcoming edition of the BPL which begins on January 21 at Dhaka.