Pace bowler Robiul Islam said on Tuesday that he does not want to be a part of the group of players who have failed to prolong their careers beyond their debut in Test cricket for Bangladesh.
So far, 59 players have represented Bangladesh in Test matches and among them seven were never picked in the side after their first Test while two others had been axed after a second chance.
Anwar Hossain, Ehsanul Haque, Faisal Hossain, Nazmul Hossain, Rafiqul Islam, Bikash Ranjan Das and Robiul Islam are the players who have only played one Test match for the Tigers while the Test career of Mohammad Selim and Sajidul Islam ended after a second attempt.
Among this group, only Robiul and Nazmul have a realistic chance to claim a spot in the Test squad for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe in August.
Right-arm fast-medium bowler Robiul played his only Test at Lord’s last June against England and was discarded immediately after his 23 overs in swinging conditions failed to produce any wicket.
However, with the national team’s pace battalion weakened by the injuries to Mashrafee bin Murtaza and Shahadat Hossain, Robiul is expected to be given the nod.
Robiul is confident that he will be able to perform better this time round if given the chance as he is much better prepared to cope with the rigours of Test cricket.
‘I am confident that I will perform well if I am selected,’ Robiul told reporters at the Sher-e Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday.
‘I was a bit nervous on my debut, more so because it was at Lord’s. I bowled well in the three practice matches in England but I did not expect to perform the way I did at Lord’s,’ said Robiul.
-With New Age input
