Soumya hopes for fresh start
2015 was an excellent year for Soumya Sarkar. Internationally, the left-hander impressed ever since he received the wild-card entry into the World Cup squad. In the first six months of 2015, Soumya's brilliant knocks at the top played emphatic roles in Bangladesh's victories against Pakistan, India and South Africa.
However, he didn't get to enjoy the last six months of 2015 as much. In a bid to provide him with as much exposure as possible, the management had sent him to two tours abroad with the Bangladesh A team, but the left-hander failed to perform.
His performance in the Bangladesh Premier League wasn't too pleasing either with the batsman averaging 16. The half-century that he scored against the Chittagong Vikings on December 1 was his first 50-plus score in 18 outings. In essence, the batsman just had one 50-plus score in the last six months of 2015.
These domestic stats of course can always be overridden once they are compared to his phenomenal international run last year. However Soumya, who recently recovered from an injury, admits that he is working hard in the nets to overcome this tricky patch that he has gotten into.
"I think practice is the only way I can overcome these issues. We played practice matches today in Khulna and that's a good start. I am very hopeful. The way I performed before is over. There is no point talking about that. I am more focused on how I can do better in the upcoming games.
"The only way we can improve ourselves in T20 cricket is through playing more matches. We haven't played too many in this format so it's good that we are getting the Zimbabwe series ahead of the upcoming tournaments," he said.
"The matches against Zimbabwe are international matches and there won't be any scope for taking them lightly. We all have to perform to our roles and get used to them," he added.
Hailing from Satkhira, Soumya reckons that playing in Khulna will be an extra inspiration for him.
"I don't think there will be an extra pressure on me since I am playing in my home ground. But yes it will definitely be an inspiration because the crowd is going to support you and that's a big thing.
"It's the shortest format and so it's difficult to say what area we need to focus on more. I think you need to be on top of your game in all three to win matches," he added.
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