Pace bowler Shafiul Islam said on Wednesday that he is striving hard to return in the national team and working hard to keep his fitness and regain form to do that.
Bangladesh team had a wonderful year in the 2015 especially in the one-day international format but Sahfiul, who had been a regular member of the squad, did not feature any single match in that year for Tigers.
The paceman last time played in a Twenty-20 international on May 12, 2013, played his last ODI in November 26, 2014 against Zimbabwe at Dhaka and featured in his last Test against the same opponents at Chittagong earlier in that month.
Since then he has been out of the national fold due to injuries and decline of form though he was recalled for 2015 World Cup as late replacement of Al-Amin Hossain only to return home without playing any match.
He is now eying to return in the international arena in the forthcoming home series against England, a side against whom he scripted a win in World Cup 2011, albeit with the bat.
‘I am not thinking about that,’ said Shafiul, when he was reminded the memory.’ I am doing my own job. Whether I will be picked or not is in the hands of selectors or coaches. If I am not picked I will continue to improve so that they will consider me for the next time.’
Apart from the batting heroics, Shafiul’s other memorable moment in his career also involved England as he bowled the last over at Bristol on 10 July 2010 in the second match of three-match series to ensure Bangladesh win by five runs, the Tigers’ first ever victory against England.
‘There is no benefit of thinking about the past’ said Shafiul.’ The important thing is what I am doing at present. I might be fitter earlier. But I can’t just think about them.’
‘I had faced some injuries over the last few years. I was probably out of the national side for injury and lack of performance. I have been working with fitness. I hope I will remain fit in rest of the season.’
Shafiul also said with the advent of some talented young bowlers like Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed made the competition to get a place in the team tougher, which is pushing everyone to one’s limit and eventually lift the side.
Former Pakistan pacer Aaaqib Javed shared his time with the national pacers on Wednesday and Shafiul said though it is tough to evaluate in that short time but they received some useful tips.
-With New Age input