Fairytale Tushar return highly unlikely

Veteran batsman Tushar Imran has been among discussions in the cricketing arena of the country after a sensational run of form in the last two years. Tushar, who last played international cricket for Bangladesh in 2007, has been in sizzling form in the domestic arena. Last season, the right-handed batsman emerged as the first and only Bangladeshi to score 10,000 first-class runs and is still marching strong in the Bangladesh Cricket League. Playing for Prime Bank South Zone in the franchise-based first-class domestic league, Tushar after five rounds of the competition finds himself at the top of the highest run-scorers’ list with 572 runs in seven innings, including four centuries and a half-century. And in the last round of the BCL, Tushar registered centuries in both innings, scoring 130 and unbeaten 103 respectively.

Veteran @BCBtigers batsman Tushar Imran has not given up hope of earning a call-up to the national side, despite being in the latter phase of his careerhttps://t.co/5RNsJZK8gR#TUSHAR #IMRAN #TUSHARIMRAN #BANGLADESH #CRICKET #BANGLADESHCRICKET #BANGLADESHCRICKETTEAM #BCB #TIGERS

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) April 15, 2018

Following such brilliant form and performances, many are expecting him to get a second chance in the national team, at least in the Test match squad. And it will not be totally out of order if it is said the 34-year old is also expecting the same. Occasions are rare of a cricketer making a return after such a long period but it was only a few months back Bangladesh had witnessed such an instance. The experienced left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak had returned to the national fold after being axed in 2013. Razzak backed by his consistent performances in first-class cricket returned to the national team for the Test series at home against Sri Lanka. He ended up playing the second and final game. But for Tushar, the scenario of a fairytale return is likely to be a tough one. Razzak came in handy in the absence of all-rounder Shakib al Hasan but for Tushar, in order to cut into the Test team he has to compete with some prominent names. Batting in the top-order, Tushar has to make way into the fold pushing out either Mominul Haque or Mushfiqur Rahim – a task which will be extremely hard to achieve. And it is understood that Tushar himself realises that. Based on the facts, even the chief of the national selection panel Minhajul Abedin ensured of not raising the bar of expectation of Tushar’s return.

Tushar Imran gave an exclusive interview to @DhakaTribune where he spoke in details about his playing career, Abdur Razzak’s sudden call-up to the Tigers’ Test side, and @BCBtigers, among other topics.https://t.co/Y058rD0Hz7#TUSHAR #IMRAN #TUSHARIMRAN #BCB #TIGERS #BCBTIGERS

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) February 21, 2018

The national selectors are currently working on chalking out the Bangladesh squad for the away series against Afghanistan and Bangladesh A team squad for the home series against Sri Lanka A side. During an interaction with the media Tuesday, Minhajul was quizzed regarding Tushar’s chance of cutting into the fold. And the Bangladesh selector was not able to put out a decision straightaway. “Tushar is performing really well. We have noted his performances. The talented ones will of course get chance in the team,” said Minhajul. Explaining the selection policies for the national team and the A side, Minhajul informed that there are two factors which the selectors follow for national team selection. “One is we look for immediate replacement and another is developing option, involving those players who deserve to play in the team in two years’ time,” said Minhajul. “While for the A team, it is mainly combination of the junior players. We have not finalised the selection of the A team (for home series against Sri Lanka A side). We will first select the A team and in two weeks declare the national side for the Afghanistan series camp,” the former Bangladesh cricketer added.