Bangladesh ‘A’, led by wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan Sohan, have set off for Australia to compete in the Top End T20 Series in Darwin, which begins later this month.
A section of the squad flew out on Thursday, with Sohan and the remaining members departing Dhaka on Friday, completing the team’s journey for their second appearance in the competition. Last year, Bangladesh took part in the tournament for the first timerepresented by the High Performance (HP) team and finished runners-up after a narrow defeat to Adelaide Strikers Academy. This time, the goal is to go one step further and lift the trophy.
Speaking to the media before departure, Sohan acknowledged the challenge ahead but emphasised the opportunity it presents:
“The conditions we’re going into will be a big challenge for everyone, but also a good opportunity. We’ll definitely try to give our best in our individual roles and reach the final. We have to give one hundred percent. We need to play as a team. If we follow the process properly, inshallah, good things will happen.”
While he has been knocking on the door of the national team for some time, Sohan is keeping his focus firmly on the upcoming tour.
“Right now, I’m going to Australia, my focus is there, and I want to do well there. The rest is in Allah’s hands,” he said.
Bangladesh ‘A’ will open their campaign against Pakistan Shaheens on 14 August at 7:00 pm local time at Darwin’s TIO Stadium. In the tournament, they will also face BBL sides Melbourne Stars and Adelaide Strikers, as well as Nepal, Perth Scorchers, and Northern Territory Strike.
Bangladesh ‘A’ squad: Nurul Hasan Sohan (captain), Saif Hassan, Naim Sheikh, Jisan Alam, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Tufayel Ahmed, Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, Rakibul Hasan, Mahfuzur Rahman Rabbi, Naim Hasan, Mushfik Hasan, Ripon Mondol, Hasan Mahmud.