National team spinner Sohag Gazi hopes to come good against New Zealand when the Black Caps tour Bangladesh in October, with the A team’s disappointing tour of England still fresh on his mind.
‘If I am there I will obviously try my best to perform,’ Sohag said at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Sunday. ‘I prepare myself, [working out] what problems I have. I try my best to play 100 percent. You need that to play international cricket.
‘I played an important role against the West Indies [last year] and I will try to continue with that.’
Sohag also noted that he missed out on Bangladesh’s triumph the last time New Zealand toured Bangladesh, when the hosts whitewashed the visitors 4-0 in their ODI series in October, 2010.
‘I was in the academy team in the last New Zealand series, or I was in the Under-19s.’
Sohag shared his thoughts on the Bangadesh A team’s disastrous tour of England, which saw the tourists swept in five One-Day matches against county sides and beaten 2-1 in the unofficial ODI series against the England Lions. The bowlers in particular failed to perform, conceding well over 300 runs in each of the matches against the Lions.
‘This is the first time that it has gone that bad on a tour. Honestly speaking, we played in seven grounds for eight matches over there,’ Sohag said.
‘We travelled a lot. By the time I got accustomed to a wicket, we went to another wicket and the same thing happened there. It was a bit of a problem.’ the spinner
explained, breaking down what caused his struggles.
‘This was my first tour of England, and it’s quite difficult for spinners on those wickets, as was proved in the tour,’ he continued, noting the value of the experience he gained on the tour.
‘This was required, because I [will be] performing in such conditions [for the national team]. I learned a lot and now understand [English conditions]. Next time if I go there, [I know] what I have to do.’
He also offered praise for the opposition the A team encountered in England.
‘Their batsmen are really good. If it goes a bit here or there, they don’t commit mistakes like the ones we make.’
Sohag was, however, optimistic that his troubles in England would not carry over into the New Zealand series.
‘At home, it will be different,’ he said.
-With New Age input
