|| CF Correspondent ||

Fast bowler Ebadat Hossain is looking to thrive in the New Zealand condition which is not easier for the visiting fast bowlers even though the condition is entirely helpful for the pace bowlers.

Ebadat said his initial target is to maintain the line and length as he believes if he can bowl in the right channel he would be confident to go for an ultimate kill. But all depends on whether he can make his debut for Bangladesh when the first Test begins on Thursday.

On Tuesday, the pacer who is expected to be the go-to bowler for the captain despite not playing any International game talked to the journalists at Hamilton. Here is the conversation.

On his chance to play the first Test

First of all, thank Allah for giving me this beautiful opportunity. Then thanks to the Bangladesh Cricket Board. The selectors believed in me and sent me in New Zealand for the second time. We have been here for a long time before the Tests. We have come early here for adopting the weather and wickets; which will be very useful for us… I like this. And I think that the previous some practice sessions had been helpful for me. When I last came here in 2016, the conditions and wickets were very difficult for me. Alhamdulillah, the good thing is that I have now worked with Courtney Walsh, Mario and others. Walsh said to me that I have had a lot of improvement in these two years. It feels good that we practised six-seven days at Christchurch in the windy and cold condition. It is very difficult to adapt to the condition here. But Alhamdulillah, everything happened well here. Our batsmen did very well in the last two-day warm-up match. And bowlers bowled 12 overs. I think everything has been better for me from all sides, Alhamdulillah!

On his previous tour in New Zealand with Bangladesh A team

I was an apprentice that time and Courtney Walsh asked me why they had brought me here. I replied to him that ‘for adopting conditions and wickets’. And now, Walsh and others are again asking me the same question... actually, I had been working with Champaka Ramanayake for one and a half years. I especially worked on my accuracy, line and length. He had appreciated me that I can bowl for a long period due to my bowling action. He said that if I would be a good Test player, it will be helpful for me. In terms of his words, I now dream of the red-ball-game. I was actually working with consistency, lines and lengths. Alhamdulillah, I feel good now.

On his aspiration to be a Test bowler

I think that all games are easier for a Test player. I want to be the perfect Test bowler. And one important thing in the Tests is the ‘ability to bowl for long periods with consistency’. I have been working in these two places for the past two years. And now, if I get a chance I will try to give my best and try to give something to Bangladesh.

On his plan to bowl in New Zealand

When I came last time, Kamrul Islam Rabbi vai was here with us as well was Taskin. They bowled well that time, it was not bad, Alhamdulillah. Now I am with Rahi, Khaled and Mustafiz. Mustafiz has many experiences in ODIs, Tests and T20s. I, Khaled and Rahi asked him about the length. What would be the better length… He replied that the use of the new ball on the wicket is actually very important as well as the consistency. Mustafiz also suggested that we should do four balls consistently and two for wicket-taking among the six overs.  We have discussed this. We get a lot of help from him, Alhamdulillah. Now, we will try to do well in the first match.

Our coach has some plans... We [bowlers] and coaches had a meeting after came here. It was actually our meeting [Bowler meeting], not team meeting. We wanted to know how to do. Courtney Walsh told us that if we, the four bowlers, can take 20 wickets in four matches, then it is possible to win the Tests.  He has trust in us. He is actually too much optimistic about us. If we [four bowlers] can take 20 wickets, Alhamdulillah we can win the Test. So we all together will try to do something for Bangladesh.

On the players coming from Sylhet