Shoriful Islam missed Bangladesh’s historic Test victory over Australia in Darwin, but the left-arm pacer hopes to play a part when the series moves to Mackay on Saturday.
Shoriful sat out the first Test after suffering a hamstring injury during Bangladesh’s tour of Zimbabwe. He travelled to Darwin after gaining clearance to join the squad and watched his teammates complete a famous nine-wicket victory.
Now fit again, the pacer has set his sights on the second Test at Great Barrier Reef Arena, where Bangladesh need only a draw to secure their first Test series win over Australia.
“I’m very happy to have been part of such a victory, at least I made it into the pictures,” Shoriful told reporters in Mackay on Wednesday. “Even though I wasn’t in the squad, it feels really good.”
The 25-year-old also revealed how closely he followed the action despite watching from outside the XI. He prayed for the players to deliver and admitted the victory left him as happy as anyone.
“I always prayed for the players who were playing, that they would give their best and that we would win,” he said. “When we won the match, I was happier than anyone else in Bangladesh.”
Bangladesh’s seamers provided the platform for the Darwin victory. Hasan Mahmud took nine wickets in the match, while Australia lost all 10 first-innings wickets to pace.
That performance could make selection difficult for head coach Phil Simmons, but Shoriful remains ready if the opportunity arrives.
“I am always ready,” he said. “Let’s see what is in my destiny, InshaAllah, and hopefully I can play the match.”
Australia now face a must-win Test to level the two-match series. Bangladesh, meanwhile, can turn their historic victory in Darwin into an even bigger achievement in Mackay.
