Gazi works hard to come back in national fold
The off-spinner ready to play for Sheikh Jamal in DPL
Sports Reporter
Sohag Gazi appeared in international arena with Test cricket against West Indies in 2012 as rare specialist right-arm off-spinner. Thereafter, he made his one-day and T20 international debut against the same opponent at home turf.
Since then, he had played Test series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe but he justified his grit and character against New Zealand, his fourth Test series when he smashed an unbeaten century and scalped six wickets for 77, which eventually drew the first Test match.
Against Sri Lanka he had played Test series for the last time in 2014. Following the year he went to West Indies to play bilateral series and was suspended by ICC for his illegal bowling action from international cricket.
After remodeling his bowling action, he came back to his business with T20 following a 14-month hiatus in 2015 against South Africa.
Sohag Gazi acknowledged the ups and downs of his career and stating that he prepared him well through working hard and vows to come back in national fold.
While a player is out of the national team he gets many more times to correct himself. He could try and bring variation in bowling. In that sense, its not easy to get while he is in national team because a player has to stay busy in his fitness training and other practices, said Sohag Gazi, who will play for Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi in upcoming Dhaka Premier League (DPL). He will play here under the captaincy of experienced campaigner Mahmudullah Ryad.
But Ive utilised my time properly to sharpen my action and have tried to execute what Ive learnt new during this period. My preparation for DPL is good. Ill try to give my hundred percent to perform well. Because I know its the only option and path for me to make the comeback in the national fold, Gazi told reporters at National Cricket Academy yesterday.
I could not even play better cricket in BPL. Thereafter, Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) has been finished. Now DPL is going to kick off. I think DPL is important for me. If I could do well, the national teams path will then be opened for me. I think my work is to perform and the rest work will rely on team management, he added.
He said that the competition to enter into national team has been increased more than the past.
The competition in national team is now more than the past. I know what I have done. For it Im now trying to set up myself so I could enter into the national team once again, he thinks.
Im toiling hard and practicing regularly. As a professional Ill keep going my hard work through practice whether I get chance to enter into the national team or not. Selectors, coach and team management will look into the matter. To see my performance if they think Sohag Gazi is prepared for playing in national team. Im waiting for their calling. Ill not drop my work. Ill go on doing my job, he said.
Citing his achievement in Test, Sohag said, I was not supposed to play that match, where I struck hundred and took six wickets against New Zealand in Chittagong. Raz (Abdur Razzak) bhai was scheduled to play. Later, the team management brought in me and all the thinks are now history.
When asked him about missing the national teams dressing room, Its of course worse thing for me. Feeling of course will be different. While I was in national team and performed for it, that feeling will one. And while I am now out of the team that feeling is another. Keeping aside all the feeling Im trying to perform well in DPL like BPL and BCL tournaments as these are the path to enter into the national side.
