||CF Correspondent||

Youngster Shadman Islam, who has been added to Bangladesh’s squad for the first Test as an additional opener, was happy to get some tips from coach Steve Rhodes.

The English-born coach saw Shadman playing the practice game against West Indies for BCB XI and instantly sorted out some technical problems in his batting. The 23-year old opening batsman is now trying to fix it.

“He [Rhodes] said that I played well and could have made the innings longer. He also said that I have to work with my defence and with some technical issues,” Shadman said on Tuesday in Chattgogram.

“He had seen me blocking the deliveries in yesterday’s match and gave me some tips. If I can follow what he said about the technical aspect of my defence, I will be a better batsman and spend more time at the crease as well as play spin well.”

Shadman said it is hard work that helped him make the cut in the national team even though he was under scanner for sometimes now.

“I must work hard. If I don’t do, it will make an adverse impact on my performance. Since I have been working hard, I can reach this stage. So I think hard work is imperative. It is imperative to thrive here. In fact hard work has helped me to make the cut in the national team,” he said.

“I played well in front of coach and selectors as they were present in the practice match. I thought that if I play well, I might get a chance. I have played the practice match keeping this thought in mind.”