After the Test, Shoriful sought out Mitchell Starc for advice on fitness, preparation and sustaining a long fast-bowling career.
Fox Cricket cameras captured him in conversation with Bangladesh left-arm pacer Shoriful, alongside Bangladesh pace-bowling coach Talha Zubair and physiotherapist Bayezidul Islam.
Starc had been the dominant bowler throughout the Test, taking 10 wickets across Bangladesh’s two innings to earn Player of the Match and Player of the Series honours.
Shoriful used the opportunity to pick the Australian fast bowler’s brain, asking a series of questions about preparation and maintaining fitness.
Shoriful later revealed what they discussed in a video released by the BCB.
“Basically, when the game ended, I told him, ‘I want to talk to you for a little while. Will you give me some time?’ He said, ‘Yes, of course.’”
Shoriful then asked Starc about how he prepares physically before a series and manages his body at the age of 36.
“I asked him what kind of physical fitness he does before a series and how he prepares himself. Since he was saying that he is a little older now, 36, his preparation is different, while ours may be different. I learned about those things. Then I asked him how he maintains himself and recovers after playing.”
While Starc dominated with the ball, Shoriful produced an equally impressive individual performance for Bangladesh, taking seven wickets in Australia’s only innings.
The left-armer also spoke with some of Bangladesh’s former coaches after the match and received a message of congratulations from former Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan.
“I spoke with the coaches who were here before. Even Shakib bhai messaged me and said, ‘Well done, congratulations.’”
