All-rounder Elias Sunny said he was eagerly waiting to excel in the practice matches before the Zimbabwe tour to strengthen his claim in the Bangladesh 15-member squad for the away series.
The left-arm spinner has been included in the 23-member preliminary squad, announced on Thursday, and he is expected to make a stiff challenge to the other slow bowlers as he has the ability to bat down the order.
Elias scored 498 runs at a decent average of 45.27 and took 24 wickets in the four-day version of the National Cricket League last season.
His all-round performance also helped Dhaka clinch the trophy of the NCL one-day competition.
Sunny made159 runs at 26.50 and took 10 wickets, but more notably played a match-winning unbeaten 87 against Barisal in the final to steer Dhaka to victory.
Elated to be named in the preliminary squad of the national team, the Bangladesh ‘A’ team all-rounder believes his only way of getting into the touring party is by proving his mettle in the practice matches.
‘I am waiting to prove my worth in the practice matches,’ Sunny told
New Age over phone on Friday.
‘I know I have to compete with the establish players to get into the 15-member squad and the only way I can push myself is by performing well in the practice matches,’ said Sunny.
The 23-member team will play a four-day match starting from July 7 and two one-dayers on July 13 and 15 at Fatullah if the weather permits.
They will leave for South Africa before going to Zimbabwe where the Tigers
will play a one-off Test and five one-day internationals against the hosts.
‘The performance of the players in the practice matches will certainly have an impact when choosing the final team,’ chief selector Akram Khan told New Age.
‘But that does not mean the team selection will solely depend on it as there are some players who are more or less settled in the national team,’ added Akram.
-With New Age input
