Afif, Naim up for new challenge

Saifuddin vows to make strong comeback

After having earned maiden call-ups to the national side, Afif Hossain and Mohammad Naim Sheikh said they would give their best shot at every opportunity afforded to them in the ODI series against Zimbabwe. Afif and Naim are two uncapped players in the 15-man ODI side named by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for the first two games against Zimbabwe, slated to be played on March 1 and 3 in Sylhet. After a long break, the three-match ODI series will be the Tigers’ first 50-over assignment following the ODI whitewash against Sri Lanka back in July last year.

Afif and Naim have already played 10 and five T20Is, respectively, for the national team and are yet to play a 50-over match. They are excited about their inclusion in the ODI squad and eager to play their part in the series. Afif told reporters at the SBNCS yesterday: “Though I have been playing T20Is, I have always thought about being a regular member of the ODI squad. I look forward to making use of any opportunity that may come my way.”

The 20-year-old batting all-rounder said he would always serve the team as and when needed. “If I get selected to play, I’ll give my best in keeping with the team strategy. Everything depends on what the team want. I will take one match at a time and focus on producing consistent performances,” he added.

On his part, Naim said that he was earlier informed about his inclusion in the ODI squad. He said he had been asked to focus more on white-ball cricket which he preferred over the longer format. “I like to play white-ball cricket. I am absolutely delighted for being named in the ODI side,” he added.

“During the match between BCB XI and Zimbabwe, I was told to get prepared for the upcoming series. I have talked to my coach and prepared well. I will try to give my best if any opportunity presents itself. That's my main target,” he told reporters. “I never dreamt of playing for the national side. I consider myself very lucky to have been included in a squad led by Mashrafe bhai,” he said.

In the meantime, fast bowler Mohammad Saifuddin will play the Zimbabwe series after being ruled out of competitive cricket for several months due to back injury.

Saifuddin said he was raring to go for the forthcoming series keeping a close eye to whitewash the opposition.

“I still feel some trouble during bowling. But I have learnt to deal with it. I have been given full clearance by the medical team. Two weeks back, I was advised to bowl eight overs in an innings in the BCL. But that restriction has been lifted. Now, I can bowl depending on my fitness level,” he also said.

“Of course, we can whitewash the opposition. We’ve performed better than them on the field. We have dominated them in the Test and beaten them in the last few ODIs. We will try to keep the winning momentum,” he added.

Afif, Naim up for new challenge

Saifuddin vows to make strong comeback

After having earned maiden call-ups to the national side, Afif Hossain and Mohammad Naim Sheikh said they would give their best shot at every opportunity afforded to them in the ODI series against Zimbabwe. Afif and Naim are two uncapped players in the 15-man ODI side named by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for the first two games against Zimbabwe, slated to be played on March 1 and 3 in Sylhet. After a long break, the three-match ODI series will be the Tigers first 50-over assignment following the ODI whitewash against Sri Lanka back in July last year. Afif and Naim have already played 10 and five T20Is, respectively, for the national team and are yet to play a 50-over match. They are excited about their inclusion in the ODI squad and eager to play their part in the series. Afif told reporters at the SBNCS yesterday: Though I have been playing T20Is, I have always thought about being a regular member of the ODI squad. I look forward to making use of any opportunity that may come my way. The 20-year-old batting all-rounder said he would always serve the team as and when needed. If I get selected to play, Ill give my best in keeping with the team strategy. Everything depends on what the team want. I will take one match at a time and focus on producing consistent performances, he added. On his part, Naim said that he was earlier informed about his inclusion in the ODI squad. He said he had been asked to focus more on white-ball cricket which he preferred over the longer format. I like to play white-ball cricket. I am absolutely delighted for being named in the ODI side, he added. During the match between BCB XI and Zimbabwe, I was told to get prepared for the upcoming series. I have talked to my coach and prepared well. I will try to give my best if any opportunity presents itself. Thats my main target, he told reporters. I never dreamt of playing for the national side. I consider myself very lucky to have been included in a squad led by Mashrafe bhai, he said. In the meantime, fast bowler Mohammad Saifuddin will play the Zimbabwe series after being ruled out of competitive cricket for several months due to back injury. Saifuddin said he was raring to go for the forthcoming series keeping a close eye to whitewash the opposition. I still feel some trouble during bowling. But I have learnt to deal with it. I have been given full clearance by the medical team. Two weeks back, I was advised to bowl eight overs in an innings in the BCL. But that restriction has been lifted. Now, I can bowl depending on my fitness level, he also said. Of course, we can whitewash the opposition. Weve performed better than them on the field. We have dominated them in the Test and beaten them in the last few ODIs. We will try to keep the winning momentum, he added.