Bangladesh’s ‘A’ team is traveling to Australia aiming to become champions of the top-end T20 tournament.
Usually, playing in the ‘A’ team is more about individual performance—showcasing skills, pushing for a national team spot, and gaining experience. But for Nurul Hasan Sohan, the captain, this tour is not about learning. He clearly states that the goal is to win the trophy.
The Bangladesh ‘A’ squad will leave Dhaka in two batches on Thursday and Friday to participate in the tournament held in Darwin. This tournament has been organized for the last three years outside Australia’s regular cricket season. Bangladesh debuted in last year’s edition under Akbar Ali’s captaincy and finished runners-up after losing the final to Adelaide Strikers Academy.
At a press conference in Mirpur on Wednesday before departure, captain Sohan reiterated their aim: “Our goal is to reach the final again.” He added, “The whole team is focused on the trophy.”
He said, “We are going to a very good tournament with some excellent teams. It’s a great opportunity for us. We definitely want to play in the final.”
“I don’t believe in a ‘learning process’ because we are here to learn. Learning is part of life. But since we are going to play a tournament, our clear target is to make the final. Every player and the entire team management are focused on winning the trophy.”
Opportunities to tour Australia don’t come often for Bangladeshi cricketers. So playing this tournament two years in a row is a big deal for these players. Sohan hopes they can deliver impressive performances against some strong opponents in Australian conditions.
He said, “There are several strong teams in this tournament. Pakistan ‘A’, Nepal’s national team, and other sides. After arriving, we will get a good understanding of the competition. It will be a competitive tournament with good teams. This is a great chance for us to perform well in these conditions.”
This tour is also very important for Sohan personally. He is fighting hard to get back into the national team and has been performing regularly in domestic cricket and for the ‘A’ team. He dreams strongly of playing again for Bangladesh.
“Getting into the national team is not entirely in my hands, so commenting on that wouldn’t be right. For me, the most important thing is to perform well wherever I play and keep improving. Playing for Bangladesh is a huge honor. It’s something I have dreamed of since I was young and still do. If I get the chance, I will give my best.”
Performing well in Australia could open the door to realizing that dream. At the end of this month, Bangladesh will host the Netherlands for a three-match T20 series, followed by the Asia Cup. But for now, the only focus for this experienced 46-match T20 player is the tournament in Australia.
He said, “Every series and every match is important to me, whether it’s a practice game or a domestic match.”
“What’s ahead, I want to focus on that. I am going to Australia for a T20 tournament, and that is where all my attention is. My job is to perform on the field. I always try to give 100%. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. The national team selection is their concern. My focus is completely on this tournament.”
Before the last Sri Lanka tour, there was much discussion about Sohan’s return to the national team, but he didn’t get the opportunity. Questions were raised about the selectors’ decision and rumors suggested he might have preferred playing in the Global Super League in Guyana for Rangpur Riders over the national team series.
The 31-year-old dismissed these claims, saying, “I want to make one thing clear — playing in the Global T20 was never my first priority. I was not excluded from the national team because of that. I was part of the camp in Chattogram. When I didn’t get a chance in the national team, I had free time. Rather than staying idle at home, playing in the Global T20 was better. That’s why I considered it.”
Bangladesh ‘A’ will play their first Top-End T20 match on August 14 against Pakistan Shaheens (Pakistan ‘A’). Their next game is on August 16 against Nepal, followed by matches against Perth Scorchers on August 17, Northern Territory Strike on August 19, Melbourne Stars on August 21, and Adelaide Strikers on August 23.
The semi-final and final are scheduled for August 24. If Bangladesh ‘A’ reaches the final, they will play three matches in just two days.
The squad for the tour was announced two days ago with Nurul Hasan Sohan as captain.
Bangladesh ‘A’ Squad
Nurul Hasan Sohan (Captain), Saif Hassan, Mohammad Naim Sheikh, Jisan Alam, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Afif Hossain, Tofail Ahmed, Mrityunjoy Chowdhury, Rokibul Hasan, Mahfuzur Rahman Rabbi, Naim Hasan, Musfik Hasan, Ripon Mondal, Hasan Mahmud.
