Only challenge ahead of me is fitness: Nawbab

Obidur Rahman Nawbab, a forward nurtured at the Aspire Academy of Qatar, did not expect to make the cut for the preliminary squad of Bangladesh national football team for a four-nation tournament in Sri Lanka next month. 

He also did not get much match time for the Bashundhara Kings in the previous season of the Bangladesh Premier League.

"I am happy to be here. First of all, I did not get much match time last season due to injury. I did not expect this call. May be the coach had faith in me and that's why he called me," Nawbab told the reporters after his first training with the national team at the Bangabandhu National Stadium today.

"I have kept my fitness training intact during this period of lay-off but now the coaches are helping me to get back the fitness. The first day training with the team was really fine and I enjoyed it," said the 22-year-old left winger.

"It has always been an honour to play for the national team. I came here to play for Bangladesh. As the faces are now known to me, things are now easier for me and I am happy," Nawbab said. 

"I am hopeful to enter into the main squad as well as the playing eleven. It, however, is the coach's decision but I will be trying to give my best in the training. I am confident that I can make it to the final squad because the only challenge to me is fitness. If I can improve my fitness, I can make it to the playing eleven and the final squad."