Shoriful Islam gears up for Pakistan series with eyes on Babar’s wicket
As Bangladesh prepares for their two-Test series against Pakistan, beginning on August 21, left-arm fast bowler Shoriful Islam shared his thoughts during a press conference in Lahore on Friday, expressing both his excitement and readiness for the challenge ahead.
Shoriful addressed the conditions at Rawalpindi, noting the pitch’s reputation for favoring fast bowlers. “I’ve heard there’s expected to be patches of grass on the pitch, though I haven’t seen it myself yet. Every fast bowler likes that because it offers seam movement. So, if that’s the case, it’s definitely a good thing,” he remarked.
Transitioning back to red-ball cricket after a stint in franchise and white-ball formats, Shoriful acknowledged the challenge of adapting. “Test cricket requires a different kind of preparation, mentally and physically. But we still have some time before the match, and I believe that by the 21st, with more practice sessions, my fitness and bowling will be well-suited for red-ball cricket,” he assured.
Shoriful also took a moment to express his gratitude toward the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the facilities provided and discussed the team’s efforts to adjust to Lahore’s intense heat. “The facilities here are top-notch, and while the weather is quite hot, we’re all trying our best to acclimate as quickly as possible,” he said.
When asked about facing Pakistan’s star batsmen like Babar Azam and Shan Masood on their home ground, Shoriful acknowledged the challenge. “Of course, they’re world-class batsmen. But we also have some strong bowlers in our team. It’s tough playing against them on their home ground, but we’ll give it our best to fight back and take quick wickets,” he stated confidently.
In a candid moment, Shoriful shared that dismissing Babar Azam would be a dream wicket for him. “If I get Babar out, I would be extremely happy,” he added with a smile.
As the press conference concluded, Shoriful reflected on the Bangladesh team’s limited tours to Pakistan, emphasizing their commitment to adapting and performing well. “We haven’t toured Pakistan much, but arriving early has given us a better chance to adjust. We’re doing everything we can to be ready for the series,” he concluded.
With Shoriful’s determination and the team’s focused preparation, Bangladesh looks to make a strong impact in the upcoming series against Pakistan.
