Discarded Bangladesh national team batsman Aftab Ahmed blamed himself for losing his focus over cricket and aims to make a come in the second edition of the Bangladesh Premier League.
After making his Test and one-day international debut in the national side back in 2004, Aftab was considered as one of the brightest prospect and even though he was
an established member of the Tigers he lost his way with time.
The right-hander admitted that laziness cost him his spot and he failed to make a comeback even after trying hard.
‘Definitely, there’s no point denying it. Laziness has got the better of me,’ Aftab told reporters on Tuesday.
‘Even though I tried very hard to overcome laziness but I had a tough time succeeding.
‘Of course I have regrets. I am not thinking about the national team at all. Many younger players are ahead of me. They are earning a lot of money. I am upset because
I lost my focus. I am to be blamed for my downfall,’ said Aftab, who will be playing for Chittagong Kings in the forthcoming Bangladesh Premier League.
His international career was put on hold when he joined the rebel Indian Cricket League and was initially banned for ten years. After one season, he quit the ICL and
made himself available for selection again.
He was finally recalled in 2010, but a poor performance saw him lose his place and since then he has not been a plan in the national setup.
He managed to score just 80 runs in five one-day matches, two against New Zealand and three against England. While he played two Tests against the same sides and made
only 68 runs.
At the age of 27, Aftab is not eyeing a comeback in the national setup at this stage as he thinks that he has fallen behind in the race and he just wants to focus on
the domestic arena where he can make a mark before retiring.
‘Honestly, I am far away from the national team at the moment. I have no plans, as far as making it to the national team is concerned. Whether it is one or two years,
I want to enjoy myself before going out from the game.
‘Now, there are many players around who are waiting to get in the national side. My primary concern should be the domestic scene.
‘Recently, I scored two fifties in the National Cricket League so I want to bow out properly from the domestic circuit before anything else.
‘If I say I want to play for the national team now then I would be wrong. It would be unwise for me to think about the national team. I am living in the present and I
want to do well. Everything else will take care of itself,’ said Aftab.
He is, however, ecstatic about the fact that he will be representing his home franchisee Chittagong Kings in the BPL and he wants to make full use of the opportunity
when it comes to him.
‘I am very elated with the fact that I will represent Chittagong, my home city. It is an additional source of happiness for me,’ he said.
Aftab, who represented Dhaka Gladiators in the inaugural BPL edition and played just one game, said he was shaky in the previous occasion. This time his first target
will be to seal a place in the playing 11.
Chittagong Kings bought the hard-hitting batsman for his base price of $10,000.
‘I only got one opportunity last time with Dhaka Gladiators and did not make full use of it. I was shaky and thought about things too much. I will target a place in
the playing 11, this is my first objective this time.
‘If I can make it then I have a plan which I want to execute. I have to do something different otherwise I have no chance of cementing my place,’ said Aftab.
-With New Age input
