Imrul hopes of returning to national squad for India series

Veteran left-arm top-order batsman Imrul Kayes is eying on his comeback in the national team in Bangladesh's next international assignment against India in November next. 

The southpaw batsman is gearing to start the new domestic season on a high note, which will begin on October 10 with the National Cricket League (NCL).

Imrul represented Bangladesh for the last time in last December playing an ODI against West Indies in Dhaka. Since then, he never got a comeback call in the national set-up for his poor performance.

However, he was under the consideration for the solitary Test against Afghanistan where Bangladesh lost last month. But Imrul failed to make the squad as his only son was hospitalized with dengue. 

"Hope is the most important thing in human life. It helps us to go ahead. I am also waiting with the hope to return to the national side. I am preparing myself to do better in the national league," Imrul told the reporters on Wednesday at the national academy ground in Mirpur.

"If I get a comeback call, I will try to do my best. Recently, I was very close to return in the national team but unfortunately, my son was hospitalized due to dengue and so I could not make a room in the squad," he added. 

Ahead of the national league, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) set a fitness bar for all the players who want to play in the national league as everyone should score at least 11 in the beep test. However, there might be some exceptions for the senior players who have been playing in domestic cricket over the years and doing well. 

Imrul believes this stance of the board will prompt the cricketers to look after their fitness with more care and by the days, it will improve the overall quality of fitness of Bangladeshi cricketers. 

"It's (beep test) not new for the national team players. But it's really challenging for the guys who are not in the national set-up. I think it's really a good step for Bangladesh cricket. It will increase the competition among the players. At the same time, it will inspire the senior players to keep their fitness better," Imrul told the reporters.

Imrul represented Bangladesh in 37 Tests, 78 ODIs and 14 T20Is till the date. He hit three centuries in Tests and four in ODIs. Imrul was considered as a Test player during his early days for the national side. But over the years, the southpaw proved himself as an effective in the other format of the game. 

"I could not focus on my fitness over the last few months. But I am really keen to back to the action. I hope it will help to regain my place in the national set-up," Imrul concluded.