‘If we fight together, we can win the World Cup with national side’
With the inclusion of three uncapped cricketers in the form of pacers Hasan Mahmud and Shoriful Islam and off spinning all-rounder Mahedi Hasan in the 18 member ODI squad, the selectors have taken the first steps towards a long-term plan. The trio spoke of their feeling after being included in the squad.
Shoriful, who was an important member of the U-19 squad, showed great promise during the recent domestic tournament said that he was hopeful of repeating the feat with the national side. Hasan Mahmud talked about giving his best effort while Mahedi felt there was no pressure given the hard work they did to get a call up with the national team.
"I earned a place in the national team squad for the first time. Inshallah I will try to do something good. In fact, after the Under-19 World Cup, I played fairly well in the Bangabandhu T20 Cup and the President's Cup. If I get a place in the best XI of the national team, I will try to give that performance. I will try to hold the place," Shoriful said.
"I enjoy the national team environment a lot. Ever since I played in the under-19 team or since I started playing cricket, I wanted to play alongside Shakib [Al Hasan]Bhai, Mushfiqur [Rahim] Bhai, [Mahmudullah] Riyad Bhai, Tamim [Iqbal] Bhai, Mustafizur [Rahman Bhai, I can stay with them. It was a dream. That has been fulfilled. I will try to perform and stay with them regularly."
'They're pointing out my mistakes, teaching me what needs to be done to give my best.
They are doing that so that things like that [mistakes] do not affect me during a match. This is why they are pointing out and showing me these things during our practice session. I am trying my best to correct the mistake. '
'One of our main strengths in becoming a world champion (Youth World Cup) was that we were all together, fighting for the country. If there is that unity, if we can all fight, one day we will be world champions again for the national team."
Hasan Mahmud:
"I have been dreaming of playing for the national team since the day I started playing. Now I have the opportunity. I will try my best. '
"Of course the motivation from seniors work. Be it a local cricketer or a foreign cricketer. I have come this far by watching them. And now that I'm here, I'm keep being inspired by the seniors."
"The goal is of course to do well. To give your best. I have to give my best against West Indies. It will be the start of my career."
"Whenever I play in that version, I give my best. I will just try to follow the process, try to keep myself fit."
"It's very important to maintain consistency. It is important to use the opportunity you have."
Mahedi Hasan:
"Of course I have worked hard to play for the Bangladesh team. First, I made my T20 debut, now I have a chance in ODIs."
"This is actually inspiration. Why would I be stressed? Since we are cricketers, there is nothing to stress about. Since we're working hard, trying, that's a lot of us. If you want to take pressure, it has an effect inside the match, the pressure doesn't come like that outside the match."
"If there is a chance in the XI, there must be an effort to give my best. Since I can bowl, I can bat, I will try to use it wherever the opportunity arises."