'Cricket's all I have'

Fazle Rabbi was sitting in Mawa Ghat yesterday, waiting for the after-effects of cyclone Titli to abate and allow him passage to Barishal when another treasured door opened for the first time for the batsman who has been plying his trade in domestic cricket for the last 14 years.

"Big surprise, to be honest I had reached a stage where I was losing hope of a call-up," said the 30-year-old over phone about earning his maiden call-up to the national squad for the upcoming home ODI series against Zimbabwe. But a bit of the hope was revived after getting selected in the Bangladesh A side to play against Sri Lanka A [in July].

He was rewarded for consistent performances in the domestic side and recently, the A team.

"I could have scored more in domestic cricket, but only recently did I realise that I need to be fitter. Whether it is in the national team or in the domestic circuit, cricket is the only thing I can do in life; it is all I have," added the elated new arrival.