Bangladesh’s left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam has been in excellent form in white-ball cricket, claiming five wickets at an economy rate of just 2.88 in the One Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand, followed by four wickets in two matches in the recently concluded T20I series. He has also been named in the squad for the first Test against Pakistan national cricket team starting on 8 May. Speaking to Prothom Alo, he reflected on his recent performances and future ambitions.
Prothom Alo : At the start of the ODI series against New Zealand, it did not seem likely you would make the XI. Yet you not only played but performed brilliantly. How does it feel?
Shoriful Islam: Alhamdulillah. I think I played an ODI after almost a year and a half. Even then, I was not supposed to play that match—perhaps it was written in my fate. I got the opportunity just two or three seconds before the game (after Mustafizur Rahman was injured). While I was out of the side, I tried to keep my process right. All our pacers were doing very well, so it had become quite difficult to break into the team or the playing XI.
Prothom Alo : Did the confidence from ODIs carry into your T20 performances?
Shoriful: I had already been playing T20 cricket in Pakistan (PSL). Then I moved into a different format. Although the formats differ, in ODIs I focused on maintaining the right line and length, which brought success. T20 is a much shorter game—you have to correct your mistakes quickly. For example, in the first match of the series I conceded 36 runs. After the game, I reviewed my entire bowling on video in the dressing room. In the next match, I tried not to repeat those mistakes.