The right-handed batsman
Tushar Imran, aged 34 years, might have another three to four years of cricket left in him. Despite getting dropped from the national team in 2007, Tushar never lost hope and scored runs regularly, especially in the longer format. As a result, the man hailing from Khulna soon emerged as the first Bangladeshi to score 10,000 first-class runs in January during the Bangladesh Cricket League.
Tushar gave an exclusive interview to
Dhaka Tribune where he spoke in details about his playing career, Abdur Razzak’s sudden call-up to the Tigers’ Test side, and Bangladesh cricket, among other topics. Here are the excerpts:
You made your debut in 2000-01. How do you evaluate your career so far?I have passed a wonderful 18 years in cricket I believe. I made my domestic debut in 2000-01. I have always enjoyed the game. My most memorable moments in all these years came during my national team days.
You have been out of the national team since 2007. But despite that, you have been a regular performer in the domestic circuit. What kept you going?I played for quite some time in the national team, especially in ODIs. So once I got out from the team due to below-par form and injury, I always wanted to make a return to the national team. And that made me work hard in order to perform in the domestic tournaments over the years.
How did you feel after the current national cricketers felicitated you and Razzak for the achievement of scoring 10,000 first-class runs and 500 first-class wickets respectively?It was an amazing feeling, to be honest. It was one of the most special moments in my career. It is very easy to get into the national team but surviving there is very tough, I know that well I believe. Those who have survived for a long time, like Tamim [Iqbal], Shakib [al Hasan], Mushfiqur [Rahim], Mashrafe [bin Mortaza] and Mahmudullah, it is a big achievement for them. So getting felicitated by them for my achievement was really heart touching and honourable.
Were you surprised to see Razzak getting a call-up to the national side all of a sudden?I do not find it surprising, rather, I believe it should be the culture. A player should be given chance in the national team for a particular format where he has been performing well in domestic cricket. I think if cricketers in their early 30s or more perform well then they should be given opportunity due to their maturity.
Do you harbour any expectation of returning to the national fold, particularly in the longer version?The expectation has always been there. I have not lost hope yet to be honest. There were discussions with regards to my inclusion (in the Test team) ahead of the ongoing Test series (between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka). It will be another big achievement for me if I am able to get back in the national team after around 11 years. I am still working hard, have another three or four years of cricket left in me I think. So let’s see if I am lucky enough to make a comeback.
What memory do you cherish the most in your career?I have a 50-plus innings (65 runs) against Pakistan in an ODI. After that when I got dropped from the national team, it was really hard for me.
Tushar ImranBorn: December 10, 1983 (Age: 34 years)
Hometown: Jessore, Khulna
Right-handed batsman
Right-arm seamer
Major Teams: Bangladesh, Khulna and Prime Bank South Zone
Most first-class runs by a BangladeshiPlayer Runs M
Ave Tushar 10,185 155
42.43Kapali 8,135 152
35.59Farhad 7,484 110
30.56Naeem 7,362 123
42.06Ashraful 7,324 144
28.72
How did you feel after the current national cricketers felicitated you and Razzak for the achievement of scoring 10,000 first-class runs and 500 first-class wickets respectively?It was an amazing feeling, to be honest. It was one of the most special moments in my career. It is very easy to get into the national team but surviving there is very tough, I know that well I believe. Those who have survived for a long time, like Tamim [Iqbal], Shakib [al Hasan], Mushfiqur [Rahim], Mashrafe [bin Mortaza] and Mahmudullah, it is a big achievement for them. So getting felicitated by them for my achievement was really heart touching and honourable.Were you surprised to see Razzak getting a call-up to the national side all of a sudden?I do not find it surprising, rather, I believe it should be the culture. A player should be given chance in the national team for a particular format where he has been performing well in domestic cricket. I think if cricketers in their early 30s or more perform well then they should be given opportunity due to their maturity.Do you harbour any expectation of returning to the national fold, particularly in the longer version?The expectation has always been there. I have not lost hope yet to be honest. There were discussions with regards to my inclusion (in the Test team) ahead of the ongoing Test series (between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka). It will be another big achievement for me if I am able to get back in the national team after around 11 years. I am still working hard, have another three or four years of cricket left in me I think. So let’s see if I am lucky enough to make a comeback.What memory do you cherish the most in your career?I have a 50-plus innings (65 runs) against Pakistan in an ODI. After that when I got dropped from the national team, it was really hard for me.
Tushar ImranBorn: December 10, 1983 (Age: 34 years)Hometown: Jessore, Khulna
Right-handed batsman
Right-arm seamerMajor Teams: Bangladesh, Khulna and Prime Bank South Zone
Most first-class runs by a BangladeshiPlayer Runs M Ave Tushar 10,185 155 42.43Kapali 8,135 152 35.59Farhad 7,484 110 30.56Naeem 7,362 123 42.06Ashraful 7,324 144 28.72