Can't play if I don't have the ability to handle criticism: Mithun

Cricket

Dhaka, 28 July - Bangladesh top order batter Mohammad Mithun believes that he is now better equipped to deal with the criticism which he faced in abundance when he was going through a bad patch during his time with the national cricket team.

Mithun who last played against Zimbabwe in July last year now has been out of the national team for almost a year after paying the price of his batting slupm.

But he is now knocking at the door of the national team following a
consistent performance at domestic level. His consistency was paid off as the right-handed batter was selected to lead the Bangladesh A team in both format of cricket for their upcoming tour of the West Indies.

Bangladesh A team will play two four-dayer and three one-day matches against West Indies A team.

Playing cricket has been increasingly tough for the cricketers due to
some toxic fans who always hurl abuse to the cricketers when they play badly.
Even the cricketer's family was dragged into the matter and situation
sometimes goes out on control.

"There is a lot of talk about cricket in Bangladesh. If I don't have the
skills to handle them, I can't play cricket," Mithun said here today as
Bangladesh A team is gearing up to leave the country for West Indies.

"You have to have the mental resilience to handle it. I have enough time for that. Having got time, I have returned to cricket, I am playing cricket."

Despite being dropped from the national team, Mithun did not lose his rhythm. He is the highest run scorer in the National Cricket League (NCL) with 468 runs in four matches including a double century. His bat also spoke in the Dhaka Premier Division League (DPL) where he scored 327 runs at an average of 36.33 in 11 matches. He also hit a century in DPL. These performances demonstrate that Mithun has still give a lot to Bangladesh cricket.

Mithun now leads the 'A' team due to the consistent performances, said the national selector Abdur Razzak.

"Now a responsibility has been given. My full focus is on how to give my best here. And what is happening elsewhere is not a matter for me to think about, I don't even think about it," Mithun remarked.

Mithun feels that series of the both format will be very competitive one as the most of the West Indies national team players represent their A team.

"Those who will play in the national team in the future, many of them
come from playing in the 'A' team," Mithun said.

"West Indies are very strong as 'A' team because they often form this
team with maximum national players. I have the experience to play against them. There will be a lot of competitive cricket. If you can do well there, there will be a chance, because the series may not be of international standard, but close to it."

Meanwhile, Bangladesh will leave the country tomorrow (Friday). The
first four-day game is from August 4-7 while the second and final one is from August 10-13. The three one-day matches are slated for August 16, 18 and 20.

All of the matches will played hosted by the Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium in St Lucia.