Ariful's chance to capitalise
Ever since playing for the Bangladesh Under-19s six years ago, all-rounder Ariful Haque has undergone a tough period and has had work hard to establish himself in the domestic circuit.
Till making his T20I debut earlier this year against Sri Lanka, Ariful experienced the stark difference between being under the guidance of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and having to fend for oneself when it came to improving and climbing the ladder to the top.
Blessed with the ability to hit the ball hard, Ariful impressed many during the Bangladesh Premier League for Khulna Titans last season and he was also handy with his medium pacers and electric on the field -- qualities that the national team management have been seeking for some time.
"I have always wanted to play for the national team, be it as an all-rounder or as a batsman, and I have been preparing myself accordingly. It will take some time as there is a difference between our domestic cricket and the international arena.
"We have a lack of power hitters, although that gap is being filled slowly, and if you look at the practice facilities there is not a wealth of facilities if you are not in the national set-up. I won't get the same facilities if I am not in the national team and then I won't get the confidence and my performance will be hampered. If the facilities improve, we have the ability to step up," Ariful told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.
Veteran left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak agreed with Ariful's views on facilities, but added that it is up to an individual to overcome the disadvantage.
"Obviously when I was in the national team I had the facilities, such as the field and other things which were available all the time. But when you are not in the national team it's very difficult as you have to wait for fields to be vacant. But I also think that during the off season a player can work on his fitness, which I did in order to be prepared to play any time," Razzak told The Daily Star yesterday.
Only time will tell whether a matured Ariful, who knows the value of a place in the national team, can establish himself as an all-rounder in the Tigers' ranks, and the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan can be a great platform for him to prove his credentials.
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