Wicketkeeper-batsmen Anamul Haque Bijoy and Mohammad Mithun staged a comeback in the national fold after a long-lull ahead of the imminent tri-angular series at home turf.

The home series, is going to be held after an eight-year-hiatus, comprising Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and the hosts Bangladesh is all set to get underway on January 15.

All the matches, 50-over affair, will be played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS) in Mirpur.

Of them, Bijoy, who had played so far 30 one-day international matches for Bangladesh after being stepped into ODI debut in 2012 against West Indies, last played against Scotland in 2015.

On the other hand, Mithun, who played only two one-day international matches wearing the jersey of the national team after being debuted in ODI format in 2014 against India, played his last against the same opponent at the same year.

Both Bijoy and Mithun worked hard to perform well in the domestic circuit so that they could draw the attention of the national selectors.

What Bijoy terms it as challenging more than frustration whether it is Dhaka Premier League (DPL), or National Cricket League (NCL), or Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL), or Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

“There was challenge more than frustration. Each and every competition at domestic circuit was every challenging for me,” said Anamul Haque.

“After ending a league or tournament, it was raised a question about me how much runs I scored there whether it’s Premier League or First Class Cricket. Even everybody would mark me in BPL how much I scored there. It’s a challenge for me,” Anamul told media after their intense practice session at centre wickets.

“Always I used to try to do something better what is inspired me much. Actually it’s a matter of frustration not to play better cricket. When everybody in the national team played well then there is nothing felt frustrating inside me rather feeling better if the country plays well. I always dream a big dream. Probably the frustration does not strike me in that way for this,” he added.

Bijoy said that he played a good number of games at different formats that made him much experienced and polished than the past occasions.

“I think there is a matter of experience. I played some more games including 20 first class matches alongside 40 one day matches. It’s an experience,” the 25-year-old Anamul said.

“Even I was in the winning side of the one day league or first class league. That’s also an exciting experience. Along with that, there were some more things such as increased skills in batting and work on keeping,” he also said.

“Actually there are more chances of the development graph if we could be in regular games. I think, a significant progress has been made. Innings are being extended. I’ve two double centuries along with centuries. I feel well more than the past in everything area,” he added.

Mohammad Mithun describes dropping out of the team as painful, stating that as another chance is dangling over him he’ll try to capitalise it with his best possible performance.   

“Actually dropping is always a matter of painful. None can drop out of the team. And everybody has a dream to play and perform for the Bangladesh team. The opportunity has come again. I’m personally very happy and try to capitalise it,” the 27-year-old Mithun said.

“Obviously, there is no end of development. What I have done there are more chances to do well further from there. I’m yet to prove myself in international stage. First target is to play for Bangladesh and do something better for it. Probably, I played well for clubs or franchisees. But my final target is to play for Bangladesh and cement my place in the team. I’ll try my best to do well for the country,” he told reporters.     

Bijoy and Mithun both acknowledged that if they get opportunity to play for the team they will then attempt their utmost best and contribute for the team’s cause.