Youngsters working hard
It needs only a very short experience of international cricket to understand that concentrating on the basic and improving ones skill-set is paramount to cementing his position in the national team while consequently strengthening the future of their cricket nation.
It is no different for Rokibul Hasan, Nayeem Islam and Imrul Kayes who all came into the fold through a process, playing in different age-group levels although their selection into the national side have been accelerated through the mass resignation of some national players.
The story is slightly different for Rokibul who had proved his worth well before the exodus and has long been highly rated by both coach and chief selector being labelled as the 'most important player right at this moment' while not being available for injury during the home series against New Zealand.
The right-hander's return from injury was not a happy one as he was dropped for Wednesday's third one-dayer at Buffalo Park due to his poor scores of 0 and 4 in the first two games with the analysis being that he was a 'little shy' in the middle.
“He looked nervous after the injury and that is hardly surprising because I even saw Brain Lara nervous after coming off a lay-off,” Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful said defending his young colleague.
“Injuries are part of the game. I had a good start but suddenly got injured and that may play a role in my batting. But one thing is that I have to face team like South Africa in their conditions after returning from the lay-off. In this tour what I again realized is the importance of improving the basics and skill-set and I am working accordingly,” explained Rokibul, who had fractured his thumb during the first one-day match against Australia in Darwin.
Despite having experienced both the ups and downs of the game in his relatively short career, Rokibul was confident that he could be a major force in the Bangladesh middle order.
“There is no shortage of confidence and I don't think there is any extra pressure on me,” said Rokibul, who is yet to make his Test debut but has played 17 one-dayers with an average of 26.
All-rounder Nayeem, who has already made his debut in both versions of the game, felt after playing three games in South Africa with the senior team that one should improve quickly if he wants to survive at the highest level.
“It's really a different stage because one can't compare his experience playing with the national team and other levels. If you want to perform here you have to have the quality or the intention to improve fast otherwise you simply can't survive,” said the soft-spoken Nayeem, who however loves the South African pitches most for batting.
Making 27 runs in three matches hardly shows any batsman's ability but the team management has enough confidence on Kayes as they believe that the left-hander looks good in the middle and it's just matter of time before he scores enough runs.
“I need to adjust to the international cricket and I hope it will happen for me soon. It's bad luck for me that I had successfully overcame the initial stage which is most tough but couldn't convert it to something big,” said Imrul.
There is however no other choice for Siddons rather than sticking by his young brigade after the departure of a few senior players and the Australian expressed his confidence that he will get the service from the newcomers if everybody gives them some time.
“I think they are very good young talents. Again I would say it will take time to shape the team because it is very tough to replace players like Nafees (Shahriar), Aftab (Ahmed) and Nazimuddin overnight. We have to find some new guys and we are doing that. I am confident,” said the bald-headed coach.
And he said that he has to solve three issues quickly: Bringing balance in the bowling, finding a good opening pair and a reliable batsman at the number three position.
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