Tanzeed Emerges as Bangladesh’s Potential Opener

Bangladesh cricket is witnessing the rise of a new talent in Tanzeed Hasan, whose fearless batting is increasingly drawing attention. The recent One Day International (ODI) fixtures against West Indies had previously seen an opening partnership of 176 runs between Soumya Sarkar and Saif Hassan, a stand that paved the way for Bangladesh’s victory. In contrast, Tanzeed had scored just one fifty in his last nine innings prior to his recall.

Despite being left out initially, Tanzeed’s stellar domestic form over the subsequent four months earned him a spot back in the national squad. His return could not have been timelier. Against Pakistan, Bangladesh bowled the opposition out for a mere 114 runs, with Tanzeed’s composed yet aggressive innings underpinning the team’s successful chase. His unorthodox, independent approach to batting left Pakistan’s bowlers unable to exert conventional pressure.

Head coach Mike Hesson remarked, “When a batsman scores below par, it is difficult to create pressure with standard bowling. We wanted our players to explore that extra dimension, and Tanzeed seized that freedom admirably.”

Tanzeed, now Bangladesh’s No. 1 T20 opener, played the ODI match in a style reminiscent of his T20 exploits. In just 42 deliveries, he scored 62 runs, including four fours and five sixes, registering a strike rate exceeding 150. This performance helped Bangladesh clinch victory in just 15.1 overs. Had he failed to perform, questions over his selection—taking the place of previous match MVP Soumya Sarkar—would have surfaced. Tanzeed had already expressed his readiness for the opportunity.

Prior to the series, Bangladesh had played a preparatory match against the BPL All Stars, where Tanzeed had scored a century. In the BPL ODI edition, he accumulated 187 runs in four innings at an average of 46.75 and a strike rate of 109.36. By comparison, Soumya Sarkar managed just 18 runs across three innings.

Bangladesh is set to play 22 ODIs this year, with the dual objectives of securing a top-nine ranking and experimenting with a revised batting order. Liton Das is slated for the fifth position, with Mehedi Hasan Miraz at seven. The composition of the opening pair remains under discussion, but Tanzeed has already sent a strong message about his credentials.

Although he has yet to score a century in T20 or ODI cricket, Tanzeed’s confident, fluent strokeplay consistently sets him apart. Whether he cements his place as Bangladesh’s premier ODI opener will be determined in the remaining two matches of the series, but his promising start has certainly turned heads.