‘When one door closes, another opens’

ملخص مفصل

Despite being a regular in Bangladesh’s white-ball setup, particularly the T20I side, and currently ranked eighth in the ICC T20I bowling rankings, the 31-year-old left-armer is yet to make his Test debut. However, he remains eager to feature in the longest format.

Sylhet Division spinner Nasum Ahmed has claimed 36 wickets in the ongoing National Cricket League (NCL), topping the charts ahead of the final round. Despite being a regular in Bangladesh’s white-ball setup, particularly the T20I side, and currently ranked eighth in the ICC T20I bowling rankings, the 31-year-old left-armer is yet to make his Test debut. However, he remains eager to feature in the longest format. Nasum spoke to The Daily Star’s Samsul Arefin Khan about his career, domestic cricket and other issues. Excerpts follow:

Nasum Ahmed (NA): The season is not over yet. Let me finish the final match before commenting. People’s expectations never end.

NA: No specific target. I just wanted to play and perform. I value the NCL because I once missed an entire season and subsequently failed to get a Premier League team. First-class cricket is Bangladesh’s main pathway; without it, getting into the Dhaka First Division or Premier League is difficult. I missed out despite wanting to play, probably in 2015-16 [2012-13], after being selected for Barishal. Later, I got a Premier League opportunity as an injury replacement.

DS: Have you received enough first-class opportunities, after debuting in 2011 with five first-innings wickets?

NA: I need three more wickets to reach 200. I had fewer opportunities after my debut, while national-team commitments have kept me from playing regularly since 2020.

DS: Despite your success in white-ball cricket and domestic red-ball cricket, you are yet to get a Test opportunity. Why do you think that is?

NA: Honestly, I do not know, and I will not speculate. I focus on performing whenever and wherever I get an opportunity.

NA: Absolutely. It is also the dream of my coach, Emon [Mahbub] bhai, and Rajin [Saleh] bhai.

DS: You took five wickets in two ODIs against West Indies last year but were subsequently dropped. Any regrets?

مطلع المقال، مقتطف من The Daily Star. لقراءة المقال كاملًا، افتحه على موقع الناشر.