The Bangladesh Cricket Board named the squad for the first two T20Is against New Zealand on Tuesday, with Saqlain included for the first time. Following the announcement, the young pacer revealed he had spoken with captain Litton Das.
“Yes, the captain called me. I spoke with him, and the selectors also got in touch,” Saqlain told reporters in Sylhet.
He also shared an emotional moment with his family, saying his mother was the first person he called.
“Since my father is no longer alive, I spoke to my mother first. She told me not to get too excited and to make the most of the opportunity. The journey is long,” he said.
Saqlain added that he is eager to learn from senior pacer Mustafizur Rahman, particularly on handling pressure situations and staying composed on the field.
“I have plans. When I meet him (Mustafizur Rahman), I will talk to him. I’ll try to learn from his experience as much as possible, especially how to stay calm in difficult situations.”