Young pacer Shoriful Islam is keeping himself prepared for giving his best in Test cricket while taking in the experience of being in the Test squad for the time being.
The left-armer, who recently made his debut in ODIs and T20s against New Zealand last month, is in the Bangladesh Test squad for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.
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Although Shoriful did not get into the playing eleven, he said he enjoyed the experience of being there on the boundary.
“This was the first time that I was in the squad of a Test team. So it was really exciting for me. Test cricket is very interesting and I never felt I was out of the playing eleven,” Shoriful said in a video message posted by the BCB today.
“What I realised is that playing Test cricket is hard. It’s tough for pace bowlers to operate in this kind of weather. But this is all part of the sport, we can’t do anything about it,” the pacer added.
Bangladesh played three pacers in the first Test in Pallekele, which eventually ended in a draw. Although there was not much assistance from the wicket for the pacers, the youngster said he liked the hard work and the discipline of the senior players.
“Taskin bhai, Ebadot bhai, Rahi bhai bowled long spells in this weather. Taskin and Ebadot bhai kept bowling at good pace all through,” said the 19-year-old from Panchagarh.
Whether or not he gets picked for the second Test, Shoriful said he is keeping himself prepared for pinnacle format of cricket, which was always his dream.
“I’m doing training with everyone. I’m doing gym, running, spot bowling — working on grip and swing. If I get a chance I would try to apply these things in the match,” Shoriful said. “When I started playing, I wanted to play in all three formats. If I play Test cricket, I will try to give my best.”
The second Test starts at the same venue in Pallekele on Thursday.
