After a prolonged period out of the national team, Abul Hasan Raju has been called up to the main squad. The pacer is now raring to go as he is on a mission to proof himself. When asked about why he has been in and out of the team, he named injuries as the main hurdle between him and the Tigers’ XI.

However, he seems to overcome those problems and hopes to become a regular member of the Bangladesh national cricket team.

“So the reason is injury [for my inconsistent selection with the team]. I was out of cricket for 3 years because of injuries. By the grace of the Almighty, however, I have overcome those hurdles. So let’s see what happens, I have to prove myself.”

“Definitely, I would want to become a regular [member of the national team].”

Raju then stated that he is currently working with three coaches and all of them say the same basic thing: to maintain the line and length of the ball as much as possible—and he tries to do just that.

“So I am working with [bowling coach] Champaka in the pace bowling camp. I haven’t been able to work much with Courtney Walsh, so I am working with him now.

“And I have been working with Khaled Mahmud Sujon from before—and all three of them say the same things about maintaining the line and length. That’s what I try to do.”

Finally, he enthused that the key arsenal for a bowler is strength and Waqar Younis told him to maintain during their time in the BPL.

“The main weapon is strength. Waqar [Younus] told me just one thing: to maintain [strength] and keep bowling. Obviously, there is something different while holding the ball and all that.”