'The 22 yards is my domain'
Tushar Imran continues to prove that when determination is allied with a love for the game, age is just a number. The veteran cricketer registered his third consecutive hundred and fourth overall in the ongoing Bangladesh Cricket League yesterday. Tushar, who is the only Bangladeshi batsman to score 10,000 runs in first-class cricket, struck twin tons in South Zone's drawn game against East Zone. After striking his 28th first-class ton, the 34-year-old -- who played five Tests and 41 ODIs for Bangladesh between 2001 and 2007 -- spoke to The Daily Star's Mazhar Uddin in an exclusive interview. He opened up about his recent form, his ultimate goal, the possibilities of a national team return and his advice to youngsters to get success in the longer format. The following are excerpts from the interview:
The Daily Star (TDS): One more hundred! You seem to be a man on a mission?
Tushar Imran (TI): Actually, I don't set any target or mission; just trying to continue the good run. I want to put a huge price tag on my wicket whenever I am set at the crease.
TDS: Do you think longer version is the format that best suits you?
TI: It's hard to say as I don't get much opportunity to bat long in fifty-over cricket. I remember that I got the opportunity two seasons back in the Dhaka Premier league and I managed to score around 500 runs. But last season I had to bat at number six. In the longer version, be it NCL or BCL, I bat at number four and I try to utilise the opportunity.
TDS: What are the changes you see from the Tushar of 2001-02 and the Tushar today?
TI: When I started I got success by playing strokes in five-six ODIs for Bangladesh. But Test cricket is different -- you won't get success every time by playing strokes. If you have a difficult wicket, it's tough, so I tried to cut out the shots and worked on my defence, which helped me get success in longer-version cricket. And yes, experience played a big role as I started my career at the early age of 18 and now I am matured. I think a batsman becomes more mature after thirty and you can see that around the world. Those who are able to mature before thirty, in my eyes they are geniuses and very talented.
TDS: Is it all about the mindset when it comes to batsmen transforming?
TI: The mindset definitely plays a big role. If you don't have the right mindset in cricket, it's difficult to score runs. Whenever I walk in to bat my first target is to score the first run and then look to score the next nine runs and go forward. But I try to punish the bad balls whenever I get them.
TDS: What keeps you motivated to keep scoring runs in domestic cricket?
TI: Soumya [Sarkar] is with me now and playing with and against these young, talented cricketers motivates me to do well. I may not be as fit as the youngsters but I try to score as many runs as I can... obviously, I love batting and on the 22 yards -- which I think is my territory -- I try to give my best.
TDS: What is your ultimate goal?
TI: I will try to score runs as long as I can and at the moment I am willing to play another three years if things keep going this way... it may be a year more. But I haven't set any targets yet; let's see where I can reach. But my first target is to reach the 11,000 mark and then 12,000 runs in first-class cricket.
TDS: Do you think there is a lack of motivation for players over 30 in domestic cricket as there is little possibility of playing in the national team?
TI: Yes, there is a lack of motivation as many cricketers who started out with me have already given up cricket after reaching a certain age -- such as Hannan Sarkar, Talha Jubaer, Tarek Aziz, Alamgir Kabir. If I was not able to score runs then I would have also been finished by now.
At times, even after scoring runs, many say 'he has become old', but to be honest I don't listen to such things and I am still playing.
TDS: Do you think the new generation of cricketers lack interest in playing longer-version cricket?
TI: Yes, I think so, and I think we will suffer in the future. Maybe we won't suffer in the next three years or so but in the long run we will suffer. You get a lot of money playing for smaller durations in shorter formats, but if the money is equal across formats you will see more interest from the youngsters for the longer formats.
TDS: You can be called a longer-version expert. What advice would you give to other players to achieve success in this format?
TI: If you can score runs in longer-version you will be able to score runs in any format. The first thing is to love the game. If you don't run after money and focus on the game you will definitely get results. Nowadays, a young player thinks that he will play four-five years in the DPL, BPL and -- if possible -- the NCL, BCL and earn money in a short time. If they can focus only on cricket I am sure they will get success in the long run.
TDS: Abdur Razzak recently made a Test comeback. Do you think there is a chance for you?
TI: We both had a wish to make comebacks. Most of the time we are roommates during the leagues and we often speak about it. I was really happy about his comeback…
I haven't given up hope yet. The way I have been performing over the past few years, especially in the longer version, the selectors can have a look at me. I will try to continue scoring runs and you never know, someday the weight of runs may tip the scale in my favour.