‘Being part of ICL Bangladesh is a high’

On the eve of the opener against the World team, the first centurion of the ICL 20s  says that the team is on song

Your team performed decently in the debut season of ICL?
We didn’t start well as we hadn’t practiced much before the tournament. But as we began playing together things fell into place. Habibul Bashar has been a very good leader.

You scored the ICL’s first century…
I was on cloud nine when the big screen displayed that I was the first centurion of ICL. I came into bat when the team was two wickets down. I wanted to bat till the last over of the innings. Unfortunately, the wickets fell at the other end. Dhiman (Ghosh) kept me company and rotated the strike. He asked me to play my natural game. I wasn’t aware of the achievement until I was told that I was the first to score a century.

But you must be disappointed that the team lost…
I wasn’t happy when Hyderabad Heroes won in the last over. It was the second time in my career that a century went in vain. Earlier, while playing against India in Asia Cup (in June 2008) I scored my maiden ton (115) for my country. But we lost.

Do you miss being in the Bangladesh team?
Not only me, but many of us do miss being part of the national team. However, what is heartening to hear is that the Bangladesh team needs us. I have been told that coach Jamie Siddons wants us back. I hope, the Bangladesh cricket board also thinks of accepting ICL players back into the fold.

You must be excited about being part of ICL Bangladesh…
It is the best thing that has happened. Though I enjoyed being part of Dhaka Warriors but playing under the banner of ICL Bangladesh is a real high as the name of our country is associated with the team. We will be on par with the current national team.