Ban vs SA – 1st Test – Mehidy Hasan Miraz saves Bangladesh from another crisis situation

However, at the start of his innings, the spectator does not always share this confidence. He plays the odd airy drive, followed by a shadow leaf or two. He then lets the ball sit a few times before pushing one through the slips or driving up past the point. When his team falters at 26 for 6 or 112 for 6, his nerves are shot.

Once you get used to Mehidy's hitting technique – scratchy at first, but quickly gaining strength – you understand the confidence he exudes. His footwork and stroke play are becoming more confident. There is an atmosphere of calm that is much needed in Bangladesh's batting line-up, which keeps collapsing.

This situation was not dissimilar. Bangladesh were fortunate to have Jaker, a debutant but a specialist batsman, alongside Mehidy at the crease. The seventh-wicket pair didn't look scratchy for long and quickly grasped the pace of the wicket. Jaker later said that they knew they didn't have to do too much, just stay and settle at the crease.

“It was a crucial moment in the morning, we had lost three quick wickets,” Jaker told the host broadcaster T-Sport. “We wanted to bat normally. We didn't want to think about what had just happened. We just tried to stick to our process. We didn't want to rush anything. Our plan was simple. I'm a specialist batsman, but I am.” He believed in me.

Jaker has a good reputation as a middle-order batsman in domestic cricket but was under pressure after a hasty dismissal in the first innings. What Mushfiqur had picked up on the second evening at the team hotel had crossed his mind. Mushfiqur calmed Jaker down and Jaker remembered the senior pro's words while batting in the second innings. He made 58 off 111 balls and hit seven fours.

“(Getting the fifty) was a special moment, especially because it was my first Test,” Jaker said. “Mushfiq bhai Actually calmed me down last night. He said don't worry about the runs. I only made two in the first innings so he said I should enjoy my Test debut. He kept telling me to start my own process. If I come out in my own process it will be fine. That was my plan. I wanted to stick to my plan and when I get out I'll be fine.

Mehidy had told Jaker something else.

“He just told me we’re going to have a great partnership,” Jaker said. “‘You just stay focused. Hit normally.' I think we were mentally ready and then we enjoyed the moment of pressure.”

This wasn't arrogance on Mehidy's part, but simply the confidence of a man who's been through this situation before. Mehidy is aware of the fragility of this Bangladesh top six and how important he is with the bat.

Mehidy is reaping the rewards of a long training period in May and June during which he was not involved in the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh or its preparation. He also had the opportunity to take a break in July and August before the Pakistan tour. He didn't score too many runs in the two Tests in India but remains in form as Dhaka showed.

Thanks to the latest of these, Bangladesh are leading by 81 points at the end of the third day in Dhaka, with Mehidy still on the scoreline. Rain is in the forecast but if he can get the last three wickets to extend the lead to at least 150, Bangladesh can begin to hope again. It's a bit of a stretch, but if anyone in this cast can pull off such a feat, it will most likely be Mehidy.