Allan Donald ‘Sylhet Rocket’ Ebadot Hossain impressed with explosive start to ODI career

Allan Donald, Bangladesh’s fast bowling coach, said Ebadot Hossain’s added pace is making a difference to the team’s bowling. Ebadot’s best figures in the first ODI against Ireland helped Bangladesh win by a record 183 runs.

The second game was a sweep, which means Ebadot now has it booth 17 in his first seven ODIs. He is behind Mustafizur Rahman at the same stage of his career in 2015.

“He’s blown the house down,” Donald said of Ebadot’s explosive start in ODIs. “From the moment I met him in Johannesburg 12 months ago, he’s been spectacular. He’s athletic. He’s got a great engine. ‘Syhet Rocket’.

“We’re working on the little things that are more tactical. We’re working on the intelligence of the game every game. I’m still trying to find the area that needs to be worked on.”

What stands out for Ebadot is the stark difference in the way his Test and ODI careers have progressed. He received it seven wickets after his seventh TestWith an average of 90.71 and a strike rate of 139.70.

But the turning point was Bangladesh’s famous 6 for 46 against New Zealand in the Mount Maunganui Test in January 2022. His wicket tally went up and his bowling average and strike rate improved significantly. Ebadot became a much-improved bowler, making his ODI and T20I debuts in the year.

“What I’m most excited about is that Ebadot is always in the game,” Donald said. “He will be in the wicket column in every match. He bowls 145-148 [kph], so you know the pace factor will have a big impact on the game. He showed it the other night [first ODI].

“He’s a fantastic talent – from a guy who won a fast bowling competition to where he is now, he could be a member of all three formats continuously.”

Donald praised the entire bowling team for their performances over the past 12 months, including two fours from Ebadot and one each from Shoriful Islam and Mustafizur. Taskin Ahmed took 5-35 against South Africa last year to give Bangladesh a historic series win over the hosts.

“It was a tremendous performance collectively. We’ve been talking about this pack mentality for a while now,” Donald said.

“I think the big applause has to go to the mindset of the team. It was fantastic to see how we bowled the other night. [first ODI]. All three were very strong. Everyone had an impact, asking questions and creating opportunities. Very happy to see that.”

“Hathu [Hathurusingha] It’s been great around the team. He expressed his freedom to the group. I think they have freed themselves and played aggressive cricket.”Allan Donald

Donald also welcomed the addition of coach Chandika Hathurusingha to the team for the second time. The former South African fast bowler said his style matches Hathurusingha’s and that is helping in the development of the players.

“I’ve been here 12 months. The work I’ve done with that team and the things I’ve done with them have never changed. Hathu [Hathurusingha] he is an aggressive and aggressive coach. It’s my style too. What he also told the whole team is to take the game, not to be afraid to win. I think it’s a great message,” Donald said.

“Hathu has been great in the team. He has shown his freedom to the team. I think they have let themselves loose and played aggressive cricket. My mindset has never changed since I was 16-17. It’s about being aggressive but someone has to do it. Give me a wide role. It’s what I did to the bowling team.”

Bangladesh’s aggressive intent as they have put up scores of 338 and 349 in the first two ODIs in the ongoing series against Ireland. Mushfiqur Rahim scored Bangladesh’s fastest century in the format in the second ODI, while Shakib Al Hasan and Towhid Hridoy scored blazing nineties in the first match. Najmul Hossain Shanto and Litton Das also scored fifties in the second ODI.

Donald added that Bangladesh are now looking to breach the 400-plus mark in the third ODI, given their batting form and stocks.

“It’s definitely achievable. A couple of guys got nineties in the first game, a couple of guys got seventies in the second game. Mushy [Mushfiqur] of course he turned it into a great hit. We want to deepen these partnerships, we want you to feel the pain even more. Take Ireland into the last ten games with six or seven goals in hand so you can pile on.’