A good platform to hone my skill
The Daily Star (TDS): What made you choose Khulna Titans?
Carlos Brathwaite (CB): The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is one of the best franchise leagues and here I have the chance to work with the legendary Mahela (Jayawardene). I will try to look and learn from him, not just as a cricketer but also as a person. That's what really sold me on the BPL; the ability to work with Mahela and take my game forward in the sub-continent.
TDS: This is you first appearance in the BPL...
CB: I had my name in the draft last year and was picked by Barisal but unfortunately couldn't fulfil my contract because of international duties. This year I really wanted to experience the tournament because I am not in the Test team and saw this as an opportunity to improve my batting. I want to play spin well and there's no better person to work with than Mahela.
TDS: Do you want to regain your spot in the ODI side through this BPL?
CB: As a player and individual I want to get better each day regardless of what was said and reasons why I was dropped. This BPL isn't a matter to test my arm, it's about improving my batting, bowling, fielding and fitness to try and become the best version of myself. And so, in the future, if I get reselected I will give my best but even if not, I will still try to be my best version. But for the moment I am only focused on the BPL and giving the franchise my best.
TDS: Have you set any personal targets?
CB: We have an important game tomorrow [Sunday] so I want to be prepared. I would like to continue performing for my franchise but haven't set any personal goals because if I set goals and can't deliver then it's frustrating and adds pressure. My ultimate dream is to improve and be the best I can be and hopefully by the end of my career I can look back and say it was a very good, successful career and that I gave my hundred per cent for each team that I played for.
TDS: Did players like Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard inspire you to become a hard-hitter?
CB: Gayle, Pollard, [Dwayne] Bravo and Marlon Samuels did inspire me to become better. Each of them had challenges as we all do; from injuries to selection, which they overcome. When I face similar challenges, I look to them for inspiration on how to make it in.
TDS: How has your life changed after the World T20 final in 2016?
CB: Many expect a repeat of that and that adds extra pressure. Usually, a good performer is not considered as one for long because everyone expects greatness every time. I think I've done pretty well since then and that's due to the attitude I adopted: taking it one day at a time only trying to control what's in my hands.
TDS: What was going through your mind in that famous last over against England?
CB: I was just numb and wanted to watch the ball, I knew Samuels was at the other end with 70 or 80 odd. So I tried to get bat on ball and went for a boundary but I really wanted to get him on strike. Thankfully I managed to hit four balls for the maximum and we won while I was the person with bat in hand. It was a magnificent achievement for the West Indies women's and men's teams to become world champions simultaneously.
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