Abul set for return

After a gap of nearly a year and a half from international cricket, pacer Abul Hasan has returned to the fray. His inclusion in Bangladesh A's preliminary squad for the series against Zimbabawe A in September -- announced yesterday by the BCB -- reflects the bowler's grit and determination.
The bowler, who last played competitive cricket in March 2013, underwent two risky surgeries on his back and went through a long rehabilitation process before eventually beginning to bowl in the nets from June this year.
“It was a dangerous phase in my career. There was a chance for my career to end. But I am back now. I have been bowling in the nets for two months and I feel a lot better than before. I just want everyone to continue praying for me,” Abul told The Daily Star.
“Throughout my rehabilitation phase I thought of Mashrafe (Bin Mortaza) bhai. I kept telling myself that if he can bowl after eight surgeries, I can return as well,” he added.
The player shot to fame during the second Test against the West Indies in Khulna in 2012 when he became the second number 10 batsman to score a century on debut in the history of Test cricket. Like Taskin Ahmed, Abul is one of Bangladesh's brighter fast bowling prospects.  
Back in action, the bowler's immediate aim is to get selected for the main Bangladesh A team against Zimbabwe A. In the longer term, he harbours hopes of breaking into the main team before the World Cup next year.
A host of national discards have been named in the preliminary squad.
Former national vice-captain Shahriar Nafees, who last featured for Bangladesh in the first Test of the Tigers' Zimbabwe tour in April 2013, has been included in the 22-member squad.
Top order batsmen Junaed Siddique and Rokibul Hasan have also been included. The last time Junaed played he scored a half-century for North Zone in the finals of the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL).
The series against Zimbabwe A is expected to begin on September 17. As per the current schedule the teams are expected to play two four-day games and three one-dayers.