Also read: New ‘chip shot’ against pacers working well for me, says Soumya
The Tigers are practising hard in their ongoing fitness and conditioning camp. The players have mainly been concentrating on gym session and running in the last few days. “It is important to maintain the fitness. This kind of fitness camp always helps players to remain fit. I am working to become fit and also on my weak areas for further improvement,” he said. Bangladesh’s next assignment is against Australia at home. The Tigers last played a Test-match series back in March against Sri Lanka and Soumya played both the games. He scored 71 and 53 in the Galle Test and made 61 and 10 in the Colombo Test.
“If I get opportunity in the Australia series then I will try to do my best. Obviously there is a difference between Tests and ODIs. Often I have to play down the order in Tests. If management thinks I will be more effective down the order in the longer version then I have no problems with that. I am ready to bat in any position for the national team,” said Soumya.The Aussies last played a Test in Bangladesh back in 2006. They will be up against a resurgent Bangladesh side who have played well in Tests recently, both at home and abroad. The Tigers won a Test against England last year at home before winning against Sri Lanka in Colombo last March. Generally, we get few chances to play Tests. But we are playing well recently. We played against England. It’s a good chance for us that Australia will come. We are eagerly waiting to play against them. We will try to win definitely. And personally, I want to make this series memorable. I will try to win Tests for my country through my batting,” said the 24-year old. Bangladesh have long been searching for a seamer-allrounder and as Soumya bowls medium pace quite often, he believes he can fill the vacuum when and if the team requires. “Well, I always bowl in the nets. I am maintaining my bowling during the practice sessions. Bangladesh now play with three pacers, often four. So it is difficult for me to bowl. But if I get the chance to bowl, I will try my best to do well for the national team. I got few chances in my career with the ball but am yet to make any impact. I have to earn my captain’s confidence so that I can be a useful bowling option. It’s a challenge for me now to prove myself in bowling as well. That’s why I am concentrating on my fitness because an all-rounder has to be fit,” said the Satkhira lad.
Meanwhile, the left-handed batsman praised his opening partner Tamim Iqbal and informed that he is learning from his senior colleague.
“Definitely, I learn a lot of things from him. From the non-striking end, I always follow his batting and imagine that if I was in his place, then how would I have played the shot. Tamim bhai’s play has changed a lot. He has matured a lot. He reads the game so well now. I always try to learn on and off the field from him,” he concluded.