Better prepared now for challenges of international cricket: Mahidul Islam Ankon

Bangladesh young wicketkeeper batter Mahidul Islam Ankon believes that he is better prepared now to take up the challenge after learning his lesson on debut Test against South Africa.

Mahidul earned a dramatic last-minute Test call-up in October last year for the Chattogram Test against South Africa by replacing wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali in the squad for the second Test after the latter was ruled out with a concussion. Bangladesh was missing first choice wicketkeeper Litton Das due to illness that paved way for the youngster.

Mahidul was called from the middle of a National Cricket League match, country's traditional first-class tournament, as he had to leave immediately for Chattogram to join the national team before he could step into the field to represent Dhaka Division against Chattogram Division at BKSP 4.

On the following day, he debuted against South Africa and would perhaps want to forget it quickly as he went on to make several blunders behind the wickets to go with paltry contributions of 0 and 29 in front of it.

Mahidul's name is again up for discussion ahead of the Test series against Zimbabwe after Litton has opted out of the series to take part in the forthcoming Pakistan Super League. Mahidul feels he's learnt his lessons and now understands better what needs to be done to handle the challenges of international cricket.

"I don't want to give any excuse because at that point I was involved in the game and probably in my mind I was carrying the NCL (game). But now I feel that I could get another chance, so I am accordingly preparing myself mentally as well," Mahidul told Cricbuzz.

"Probably I was nervous and to hide that nervousness I tried to be excited (behind the wickets). I think it is important to enjoy the game.

"The first Test is now in the past, but what I feel is that in the first innings I was out early on while in the second innings though I got a start I could not translate that into a big score. All those are my lessons.

"What I feel is that at the end it is a game of bat and ball but what is important is to cope up with that situation and environment. I am feeling well and working on my shortcomings so that I can perform better and preparing to the best of my ability. I feel I am getting enough time to prepare myself this time, and hopefully if I get the chance I feel I can perform well for the team."

Mahidul insisted that he will be more relaxed in the national dressing room as he will share it with his mentor Mohammad Salahuddin, who is currently working as the senior assistant coach of Bangladesh team.

"I think having him around is always good considering he knows me very well and can always relieve the tension whenever I am over-thinking about anything - I am saying it on the basis of my experience of playing under him in different domestic tournaments," he concluded.