Towhid Hridoy has a lot of potential and a desire to learn: Nic Pothas

Bangladesh will take on Afghanistan in a one-off Test commencing on June 14. The last time the two countries met in a red-ball match, Afghan spinners exploited Bangladesh batters in a 224-run loss in Chattogram in 2019. Following the Test, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will square off in a white-ball series where hitters like Towhid Hridoy will be keen to carry on impressing since his ODI debut against Ireland in March this year.

Nic Pothas is a newly appointed Bangladesh assistant coach. In his coaching career that spans over a decade, Pothas has worked as the head coach of West Indies (2018-2019) and Sri Lanka (2017-2018). He had also performed the roles of assistant coach and fielding coach of the West Indies side and had been the lead fielding coach of Sri Lanka. Prior to joining Bangladesh, Pothas was the wicketkeeping coach of Hampshire County Cricket Club.

I am excited about what Hriody can do: Pothas 

Pothas seems enthusiastic about the national team's potential in Test cricket, and the former South Africa batter heaped admiration on rising sensation Towhid Hridoy. Pothas regards the 22-year-old as a "phenomenal batsman" who has outperformed expectations.

"First and foremost, he is a fantastic kid. He has a high ceiling in terms of his skills. Not many people have come into international cricket and all of a sudden done what he has done. We expect these young cricketers to come in and suddenly be world-beaters just like that. It is not possible. He (Towhid) has a lot of potential and a desire to learn. He has a high work ethic. I am excited for what he can do," Pothas said on The Daily Star.

Meanwhile, in February 2023, Hridoy was named in Bangladesh's ODI squad for their series against England. In March 2023, he was named in the T20I squad for the same series. He made his T20I, debut in the first T20I of the series on 9 March 2023 and made his ODI debut against Ireland on 18 March later. Furthermore, Hridoy went on to score 92 runs, which was the highest individual score by a Bangladesh player on ODI debut.