I Want To Play Across Format Cricket – Nayeem

Bangladesh off-spinner Nayeem Islam is trying hard to be in regular across format cricket leaving behind his injuries. Since beginning his international career against the touring West Indies in November 2018 with a Test series the right-arm slow ball has only been playing in red-ball cricket. Nayeem is now doing everything best possible to be regular in the national set-up and also make a mark in white-ball cricket as well. According to him, BPL might be an ideal platform to prove his worth. During an exclusive interview with Kriknews Nayeem opened up about different aspects of his career.

Here are the excerpts.

Q. Do you reckon BPL as an ideal platform for preparing ahead of the forthcoming home series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe set to commence in March and April?

Nayeem: Of course it is. Whatever the tournament I play, whether it is BPL, NCL, or BCL, is each an opportunity for me, as if I play well here, it will boost my morale, and the selectors will also keep relying on me, which eventually will pave the way for me to make a cut to the national fold.

Q. You returned to the national side following a long pause with the Test series against New Zealand in Sylhet back in November 2023. How content were you with your showcases?

Nayeem: It was well, as I had featured in the series according to the process. I couldn’t take five or six wickets here like in the other past series, but it was well done. However, I would be able to finish with a more shining note if there were no catch drops, as it saved them from early collapse. Honestly speaking, I was only following my process. Nevertheless, catch drops are part and parcel of the match. I think I could deliver according to the team’s demands.

Q. What particular things are you doing for the improvisation of your bowling?

Nayeem: Well, soon after the conclusion of our Test series, I took part in the BCL, and now I am with my BPL side, the Sylhet Strikers. It means I am constantly in touch with preparation. However, I had superb preparations during my camp with the Bangladesh Tigers, where Sohel sir [Sohel Islam] took the best care of me. I had tremendous training throughout the camp, to be honest, where I could learn plenty of things. But during a competition, you can’t expect to get more tips from your coaches. Here, you just need to deliver the technique you learned. And if you want to try anything new, the off-season is best in that case.

Q. What particular weapon do you think you currently have in your stockpile to rattle your counterparts?

Nayeem: In fact, I always try to bowl as per the conditions.

Q. In most of the cases, we have seen you suffer from an injury when you are in peak form. How hurtful is that?

Nayeem: Look, we can’t control injuries. It would have been disappointing for me if I had sustained all those strains on the back of undisciplined acts. Nonetheless, it all happened while I played. No one can control injuries, as they might occur to anyone while playing; it is natural.

Q. Since the inception of your international career, you have only been playing Test cricket. Do you feel like playing in white-ball games as well?

Nayeem: In fact, each and every player looks to feature across the format of cricket. I am also focusing on that. If my selectors are convinced of my performance, I would also be able to manage a call in white-ball cricket, I believe.

Q. What are you expecting from this edition of BPL?

Nayeem: I am yet to make my appearance in this season of the tournament. If I can manage a call in the playing XI, I will try to maintain my process properly, and I think the result will take care of itself. Thinking about results may ruin your process. In that case, you have to avoid the stuff that intimidates you from implementing your process.

Q. Sylhet have failed to secure a win in their two encounters in the first phase of Dhaka in this version of BPL. What level of the meet are you anticipating reaching?

Nayeem: If I am not mistaken, all the contenders in the tournament will be eying to clinch the championship. No one wants