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CRICKET-SAIFUDDIN-TEST
Saifuddin wants to stamp his authority in Test cricket also
DHAKA, Sept 23, 2020 (BSS) —Bangladesh all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin is optimistic to dominate the longer version format despite being worried about his skill and fitness on which he couldn’t work for a long time due to his injury and COVID-19 pandemic.
Saifuddin is the one in the 27-member squad who was called up for skill camp for the three-match Test series in Sri Lanka. It was however the first time that he was called for any Test squad.
Saifuddin’s first inclusion into the Test format is seamless as he had already shown his credential and value in the ODI and T20 format. In fact in these two formats, he is an automatic choice like Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan. More importantly he is the only young cricketer who made himself an automatic choice in these two formats.
There is high expectation that the pace bowling all-rounder also could carve his own niche in the Test format also.
“Every cricketer dreams of playing Test cricket, I am no exception,” Saifuddin said here today.
“I will try to do something good if I get the opportunity. My biggest goal now is to keep myself fit, to improve skills. I’m a little worried about my skills. For about 6-7 months, I was not able to bowl or bat in the way that I need to dominate in international standard cricket. Even then, if there is time, if I go to Sri Lanka, I will try to regain my skill.”
Basically the recurring back injury and coronavirus pandemic period ate up much of his time, leaving him out of cricket for one year and far behind than his other colleagues in terms of skill.
“Corona’s time was a bit difficult for me since I was in my district Feni. I have been able to do fitness work but I am far behind than other players in terms of skill. I did the batting as much as I could but I couldn’t bowl at all. I have bowled today, I have bowled the last two days. It will take more time to get the rhythm. I’m feeling a little uncomfortable. Even then, I am optimistic that if I can bowl for a while, maybe I will be able to return to my previous form.”
“I always have a thought about injury. Since I have a major injury like back pain, I was out of the field for about 6-7 months. Then I came back fit and after playing a couple of matches, I went back 6 months due to Corona. I’ve been out of the field for almost a year now.”
Now his only goal is to get the rhythm and match fitness back as he wants to contribute for the team in longer version format like the way he contributed in shorter formats.
“Since I have a major injury, I have been suffering for many years. The biggest thing is that I was out for six months due to this injury which is why it’s hard for me, like one year I didn’t have the opportunity to work out on the field, work with fitness or play matches. Since there are so many matches ahead, the sooner I can overcome myself the better for me. My goal will be to get back to match fitness as soon as possible, which is good for me and the team,” he concluded.
BSS/SMP/AU/19:00 hrs