It was Soumya Sarkar’s domestic performance that saw him drafted in the Bangladesh World Cup squad and although he is a genuine top-order batsman, selectors emphasised on his medium pace as they clarified his inclusion as a “pace bowling all-rounder”.
However, his courage and stroke-playing caliber as a top-order batsman was not under the covers for long as he batted at No 3 during the World Cup in Australia-New Zealand before partnering Tamim Iqbal to open the innings against Pakistan recently.
The team management stuck with Soumya at the opening slot and the 22-year old aggressive yet stylish batsman did not disappoint. Pacer Mustafizur Rahman might have grabbed all the attention with his record-making bowling figures in the just-concluded home series against India, but Soumya was also near perfect with the bat. His scores of 54, 34 and 40 suggests that he got the starts but could not capitalise.
Soumya, while speaking to Dhaka Tribune yesterday, said he is also concerned for not being able to convert the flying starts.
“I have always been an aggressive batsman starting from age-level cricket. I had faced a similar problem when I played for Under-19. I was getting starts and was scoring 30 or 40 runs but was failing to convert. I had worked on that and it was cured but it seems I am facing the trouble again,” said Soumya, who featured in 13 one-day internationals and averages in the 40s.
“It will take time. The coaching staff is providing me enough support. Let’s see how soon I can get rid of the problem.”
The World Cup was the tournament where Bangladesh resurfaced as a team. It was the first time the Tigers displayed their aggressive and fearless brand of cricket
“You see, we were too concerned when we went to Australia. We were concerned with how our attitude in the field should be. But we were given the free license there and were told to be the way we are and not to worry of the consequences. That was a great booster to the team and for me as an individual. So I think we gained the confidence there. Everyone thought that we have performed well in foreign conditions so why not better at home,” said Soumya, who also credited his skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza for his support.
“It was during the World Cup when Mashrafe bhai asked me to go after the bowlers and play the way I have always done. He said what the worst can happen to me is I can give away my wicket. The advice was crucial to me, it becomes easy to perform when you are given the free license.”