|| CF Correspondent ||

Bangladesh middle-order batsman Ariful Haque believes his maiden first-class double hundred helped him raise his confidence that helped him on his debut against Zimbabwe.

Bangladesh lost the two-Test series opener against Zimbabwe by 151 runs due to their repeated batting failure and it was only Ariful who looked to bat with some purpose on both the occasions.

Ariful made unbeaten 41 runs in the first innings and followed it with 38 runs to prove his mettle under trying circumstances on his debut that was possible largely due to his exploits in the National Cricket League, country’s traditional first-class tournament.

‘’Of course, my runs in National Cricket League (NCL) has been benefited me. My confidence has been improved after smashing 200[231 runs] in NCL. In a result, I have done well in my batting in the last Test in Sylhet,’’ Ariful told reporters at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Friday.

“Actually the first Test has been gone well that boosted my confidence,’’ he said.

‘’Bowlers in international level will not give balls to hit easily and so you have to wait in that way. A different thought process need to be implemented and probably there is some change in my thinking as well,’’ he said.

Ariful, who came into limelight in the 2006-07 when he struck his maiden first-class century in his first year in the NCL but never looked blaze as expected to make a room for himself in the longer-version squad.