Saifuddin enjoys competition among fellow pacers

Bangladesh pace all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin is happy for and enjoying the healthy competition in the pace bowling department of the national setup. Bangladesh stepping into the international arena after a break of almost 10 months starting with the ODI series against West Indies later this month.

There are wide discussions amongst Bangladesh think-tank of breaking the convention and put trust on the pace attack in home series. The confidence of the decision makers have been backed by performance of the fast bowlers in the recent domestic tournaments that is the President’s Cup and Bangabandhu T20 Cup and also the fact that they have been looking to break the culture of the team relying heavily on spinners.

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Right-arm pacer Saifuddin is one of the seven fast bowlers Bangladesh have in the preliminary squad for the ODI series against visitors West Indies.

“We had high intensity practice for last three days. There were sessions for batting, bowling and fielding. Our pacers have done well in the last two domestic tournaments, Bangabandhu T20 Cup and President’s Cup so there is a healthy competition in pace bowling department at the moment,” said Saifuddin to the media on Tuesday.

“Everyone wants to be part of playing XI and thus is giving their 100 percent and the rest is on luck. We are enjoying the sessions. We will get a week more of practice before the series and we are scheduled to play a couple of practice matches. Overall we are preparing well for the series.   

Saifuddin has come into the squad recovering a grade-2 ankle tear picked two days before the Bangabandhu T20 Cup held in November-December. Saifuddin was bringing a football from the sidelines for a team warm-up drill when his spikes dug into the ground and caused his ankle to twist.

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Saifuddin’s side in the five-team competition, Minister Group Rajshahi, eventually managed to get the all-rounder available for the last three games but a MRI scan later revealed the cricketers was carrying a grade-two tear of the ankle ligament.

“I was a bit worried if I would be able to recover before the series. But I have been able to that and thanks to physios, they have been big help to me. I underwent the rehab process as per their instructions, tried heart and soul to recover and now I am well,” said Saifuddin.

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“It is a big series for us given we are finally back on the field. We were stuck at home for a long time due to Covid-19. We got to play some domestic matches but it is different playing for the national team. It is a matter of pride. On top of that we have Shakib bhai [Shakib al Hasan] back in the team after almost a year. So that is another part of being a happy at the moment. We are excited and confident given we are starting with a home series,” he said.