Nurul: A tough challenge awaits the Tigers
More than a year after his only Test appearance, Nurul Hasan has been recalled to the Test squad ahead of Bangladesh’s tour of West Indies.
Many things have changed since Nurul’s debut Test against New Zealand. Former head coach Chandika Hathurusingha stepped down from the post. And seventh months after his resignation, Steve Rhodes took charge of the team. The upcoming series will be Rhodes’ first assignment in the new role.
“Actually, everything is the same. There may be some changes in plan.
“The coach is new but the players aren’t. We've been playing together for a long time. I don’t think that having a new coach is a big factor. The coach has a plan. Our main goal would be to stand well as a team.
“We've been working with the coach for two days,” Nurul told the reporters.
Despite being consistent in the domestic circuit, Nurul has been in and out of the national team since his debut. However, the wicketkeeper-batsman is not concerned about the selection process and wants to perform whenever he gets an opportunity.
“These things do come to my mind. But I always try to ignore such thoughts. There is no use thinking about something that is not in my hand. My goal is to do well wherever I get the opportunity.
“There is always a desire to play for Bangladesh. To represent your country in any format of the game is special. Now I have got a chance in the Test squad, my aim is to do well when the opportunity comes,” he said.
The 24-year-old is also not worried about his batting position. He wants to play as per the team’s demand. He also revealed that he has been working on his batting.
“I have always prioritized the team’s demand. I will play in whichever position the team wants me play. I’ll always be ready to do whatever is good for the team,” said Nurul.
“Honestly, I’ve been working a lot of work on (my) batting. I want to work more on my weaknesses. My efforts will be there to perform better in future,” he added.
Bangladesh haven’t managed to register a single win in a bilateral series across all formats since their maiden Test victory against Australia in August last year. They have lost multiple bilateral series to South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan following that historic win.
So, the Tigers will definitely have a point to prove when they take on West Indies and Nurul is confident that the team is ready to take the challenge.
“As a team, we all know that this tour will be tough. It will be very challenging. Our last series (against Afghanistan) was not good. All of us are ready to take the challenge. If we can give our hundred per cent, then something positive will certainly happen,” Nurul opined.
The Bangladesh national team is scheduled to fly out to the Caribbean on June 23 and will face West Indies in the first Test of a two-match series starting from July 4. The Test-series will be followed by two limited-overs series where Bangladesh will play three ODIs and as many T20Is against the Caribbean side.
