Finisher Ankon aims to master the ‘Helicopter Shot’
Mahidul Islam Ankon
Cricfrenzy: How satisfied are you with your performance in the BPL?
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Mahidul Ankon: Alhamdulillah, even though I couldn’t fully meet my expectations, I am still grateful. I would have been even happier if our team had reached the final. Playing in the final would have been significant for me as well. Maybe I met some of my expectations, but there’s still a lot left to achieve and improve upon.
Cf: In domestic cricket, you usually bat in the middle or top order, but in the BPL, your role was as a finisher. Did you receive any specific plans from the coach and captain before the tournament?
Ankon: I was absolutely clear about my role, and that helped me a lot. Throughout the season, I knew where I would bat, what my role was, and what the team expected from me. Being clear about my role made it easier to plan accordingly. I tried to prepare in that way, and by the grace of Allah, it paid off in the matches.
Cf: There must have been special preparation for being a finisher. Can you elaborate?
Ankon: Yes, I started preparing for it long before. When Khulna picked me in the draft, I could already anticipate the position I might have to bat in. So, I worked with different coaches and also analyzed myself to identify areas where I needed to improve. I’m still working on getting better and performing at a higher level.
Cf: What do you think is the main difference between batting as a top-order, middle-order, or finisher?
Ankon: I believe it’s entirely a mental aspect. Since childhood, I’ve been shuffled around different batting positions. Back then, I didn’t like it much, but now I feel it helps me adapt more easily. I try to enjoy every situation and contribute to the team in any position. No matter which team I play for, my goal is always to make an impact in helping the team win.
Cf: Over the last three seasons, you played 16 matches in total, but this season alone, you played 14 matches for Khulna. Do you think playing in a team where you get more matches is better than being in a star-studded team?
Ankon: A player doesn’t get to choose which team he will play for. If you look at Comilla Victorians, they have also produced rising players. Players like Jaker Ali Anik and Tanvir Islam emerged even while playing for a strong team like Comilla.
So, it doesn’t really matter which team you’re in. What’s important is how well you utilize your opportunities. You also need a bit of luck to get those chances, but as I said, the real question is how well you can seize the opportunity when it comes.
Cf: Did having the assurance of playing more matches make you feel more relaxed mentally?
Ankon: When a player gets the assurance or trust that he will play multiple matches, it helps mentally. But at the end of the day, as a professional cricketer, I believe there is no room for excuses. Even if I get just one match, I have to perform in that match because that is my job. There are many ways to make excuses, but I don’t want to dwell on them.
Cf: Last season, you had a strike rate of 114.70 for Comilla, but this season, your strike rate for Khulna was 174.58. How did you bring about this change?
Ankon: I think the change came from self-belief. Once I started believing in myself, everything started falling into place. I always believed I could do well in T20s. It’s not that I’ve already become an outstanding player—it’s just the beginning.
I knew that if I got the opportunity to play from the start of the tournament, I could prove myself. I’ve been part of the BPL for a few years, but I never really got the chance to play consistently or bat in an important role. So, I was practicing accordingly, and by the grace of Allah, when I got a good start in the first match, I focused on maintaining that momentum throughout the season.
Cf: A top-order or middle-order batter has a higher chance of success compared to a finisher. Did you feel any fear or doubt when the coach and captain gave you this role?
Ankon: Yes, batting in the top or middle order offers a higher chance of success. But I was already very clear about my role. That’s why it wasn’t too difficult for me. I had batted in similar positions before and knew what to expect in those situations. I may not have done it before in T20s, but getting a good start in my first match boosted my confidence.
Cf: You hit a helicopter shot for six against Shoriful Islam while playing against Chittagong Kings. Was it easier to play that shot because of your special preparation for the death overs?
Ankon: I had been practicing those shots in training. I had already thought about what kind of deliveries a bowler might bowl at the end of an innings. Based on that, I worked on my training. I believe my practice helped me execute that shot in the match.
It’s not that I have completely mastered the helicopter shot yet. But I hope to get even better in the future.
Cf: Bat swing and power hitting are crucial for finishers. What kind of work have you done for this role?
Ankon: Bat swing is definitely an important aspect of T20 and finishing roles. I have worked on these with the coaches. I had already felt that this would become a key part of my game one day, so I started working on it long before. Maybe now I have been able to showcase it to everyone.
Cf: Cricketers from other countries often play golf to improve their bat swing. We don’t see that happening much in Bangladesh. Specifically, what do you do?
Ankon: To be specific, I practice with a slightly heavier bat and ball. Regarding golf, I also believe it is very important for cricketers. Hopefully, we will develop such an environment here as well. If that environment doesn’t exist, I have to create it myself. In Sha Allah, I will soon try to engage in such sports that can help my cricket.
Cf: BCB provides a lot of facilities, but compared to other countries, do you still see any gaps?
Ankon: Look, I think we are very Dhaka-centric. If you talk about facilities, things have improved a lot compared to before. But if we had even better facilities, it would have been great for us.
As a professional cricketer, I don’t think I should depend on anyone. I always try to invest in my own improvement, no matter how much it costs, and create the right environment for myself. Instead of depending on others, I try to ensure I get the necessary facilities myself.
Cf: You said you try to create things for yourself, but is that possible for every cricketer? For some, it might be more challenging...
Ankon: Yes, it’s definitely challenging. It’s tougher for players who are not in the national team. But still, I believe that whatever opportunities I have, the key is whether I am investing in myself and working towards my improvement.
