Left-arm batsman Imrul Kayes, who has been called up in the Bangladesh ODI preliminary squad for the upcoming home series against Sri Lanka, said he is eager to make use of this opportunity.
After Bangladesh’s first day-night Test in Kolkata in 2019, Imrul had been out of the national set-up.
“I would like to thank the selectors for believing in me,” Imrul said over a video message on Sunday. “I have been called in the preliminary squad for the upcoming home series. This is very inspiring for me. When you stay out of the national team, you cannot prepare well for the future. So it’s a big opportunity for me. I would like to make use of it.”
In his last 10 ODI innings, Imrul hit two centuries and two half-centuries with the best of 144 against Zimbabwe at home in 2018.
“I was very upset being out of the national set up. I have missed the dressing room a lot. Still, it’s good to be sidelined sometimes. It helps a player to rethink his game and other things,” Imrul added.
“And I would like to say one more thing that I never felt that I’m out of the national team for good. I always think that I’m just beside the team, and I have to work hard to join the team,” he further added.
Tamim Iqbal, Bangladesh’s ODI captain, has recently hinted that he would love to see some ‘old’ guys back to the ODI set-up. He, however, didn’t mention any name. And now, Imrul is in the team.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced the preliminary ODI squad on Saturday including Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman, who are currently busy playing the Indian Premier League.
The preliminary ODI squad of Bangladesh:
Tamim Iqbal, Naim Sheikh, Imrul Kayes, Litton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah Riyad, Afif Hossain, Musaddek Hossain, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam and Shohidul Islam
