Shoriful lauds "healthy competition" among pacers after comeback

Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam said he is not losing sleep over his long absence from the ODI set-up and was always prepared to deliver when the opportunity comes.

Speaking ahead of the 2nd ODI against New Zealand, Shoriful revealed staying focused despite a 16-month gap from the 50-over format. It paid dividends in the opening game of the series when he was a late inclusion after Mustafizur Rahman got injured.

The left-arm fast bowler was not in the playing XI until the morning of the game and was only picked after Mustafizur was ruled out with discomfort in his right knee while warming up.

Shoriful grabbed the opportunity with returns of 2/27, leaving Bangladesh with questions over the combination once Mustafizur is fit. He was also left ruing his luck as Saif Hassan dropped a regulation catch at slip to give Nick Kelly a lifeline.

What was impressive was Shoriful's quick adaptation to conditions. The wicket did not offer much bounce or pace, with the ball keeping low at times. Shoriful, who started with a wide, bowled 27 dots across his first 30 balls and ended with 42 dots altogether as the visitors found it hard to score off him.

"I last played an ODI against the West Indies. There was a gap, and I was also out of the team during the Champions Trophy but I always try to stick to the basics and be ready," he said.

The pacer underlined his mental resilience, stressing that preparation has been constant.

"I keep fighting with myself and try to improve. When the opportunity comes, Alhamdulillah, I aim to perform well," he added.

With Bangladesh boasting a strong pace battery, the 24-year-old dismissed any notion of frustration over selection. He instead hailed the depth in the bowling unit as a major boost.

"There is nothing frustrating here. Those who are playing are doing well, and those outside the XI are also quality players," he said.

"It's a healthy competition. If someone like Mustafizur Rahman is unavailable and I step in, I must be ready to perform. This is good for Bangladesh cricket," he added.

The team management confirmed that a decision regarding Mustafizur will be taken ahead of the 2nd ODI after assessing his fitness. Even if he is available, one of Taskin Ahmed or Nahid Rana would have to make way.

Elsewhere, Soumya Sarkar is likely to get a chance in the playing XI but not at the top, as the team management is not ready to tinker with the opening pair of Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Saif Hassan.