Exclusive: Saif Hassan Credits Franchise Cricket and Masco Academy for International Comeback

Bangladesh’s in-form batter Saif Hassan believes he has matured enough to handle the pressures of international cricket, as he looks to build on his resurgent Asia Cup campaign in the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan.

The right-hander, who returned to the national fold after more than 18 months, struck form at just the right time, offering Bangladesh stability in the top order.

For Saif, the transformation has been rooted in patience, franchise experience, and relentless hard work.

FRANCHISE CRICKET HELPED SHAPE HIS GAME

Speaking to SportsBoom.com, Saif credited his recent development to regular opportunities in domestic and overseas T20 leagues.

“I had a good preparation. In the last two years, wherever I got opportunities to play, in BPL, GSL, I gained confidence. Playing in those tournaments helped me,” said Saif.

“Earlier, I wasn’t even picked in the BPL. And even if I was, I would get just one game or sometimes go unsold. But in the last two seasons, playing regularly in the BPL and then getting picked for the GSL really helped me understand my T20 game,” he told SportsBoom.com. 

Saif, who once struggled for consistency at the highest level, now insists he is focused on carrying that domestic momentum into international cricket.

“My responsibility is to perform, and I have performed. Now that the Asia Cup is over, my full focus is on the Afghanistan series."

“When I first got the opportunity in the national team, maybe there were some shortcomings, and I could not perform according to expectations. I worked on those, and hopefully I can now deliver something good.”

He added: “I never played for my place. I always tried to have an impact for the team. Alhamdulillah, I have had an impact, and I will try to continue if I get the opportunity in future.”

STRENGTH IN THE V

A natural red-ball batsman, Saif has long been comfortable playing straight down the ground, and that strength has now become a weapon in white-ball cricket. His ability to hit with the spin was particularly effective in back-to-back Asia Cup games against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.

“Normally, I try to hit straight shots and hit with the spin, which is my strength,” Saif explained. 

“I’ve worked on it for a long time and feel confident in that area.”

“Range hitting, strike rotation, handling both the new and old ball, I have practiced everything. Now it’s time to deliver.”

MASCO ACADEMY’S INFLUENCE

Much of Saif’s transformation was shaped away from the spotlight, at the Masco Academy on the outskirts of Dhaka. The facility, run by Bangladesh’s senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin, has become a hub for players looking to refine their craft.

“I am very thankful to Salahuddin Sir as he helped me a lot. Whenever I get time, I go there, work on my shortcomings, and try to improve,” said Saif.

Salahuddin, who has mentored several top Bangladeshi players, revealed that Saif’s growth was as much mental as technical.

“That confidence maybe wasn’t inside him for a long time. But once he started playing T20s, the belief began to grow."

“It’s not that he couldn’t hit, but the belief wasn’t there. Earlier in his innings he would start slow, but over time he worked on it. Most importantly, the intent to improve was there. I’ve seen him practice at Masco on his off days, even when the A team had sessions in the morning. That dedication makes the difference.”

“Whenever you do extra practice, only then does the opportunity come to become extraordinary. And in the specific areas where he had to improve, expanding his range of shots, he worked with extreme dedication.”

Saif’s Asia Cup performance may have eased some doubts about his place in the side, but for the 25-year-old, the task now is to turn promise into consistency.