'My challenge is to score'

Misfiring Bangladesh opener Soumya Sarkar yesterday said that he could only respond to the growing criticism by scoring heavily. 

“I'm doing well in one game and then doing not so well in the next. I may have played badly in Champions Trophy, but I played well in the preceding series. A lot of people are saying a lot of things. But I'm not paying attention to everyone. I'm realizing that I will have to solve my own problem,” Soumya told reporters during the Tigers' fitness training session in Mirpur. 

The young left-hander came under scrutiny after his no show in the Champions Trophy, where his combined four innings score, including the semifinal against India, was 34. He got out against Australia and New Zealand for 3 and scored a duck against India, in these three innings his footwork, or lack of, was exposed. The young batsman, who relies on hand-eye coordination, however said that those dismissals were of different kinds. 

“If it was the case that I was getting out in the same way, which was not, it would have been easier to solve. I will have to solve it and I know that I can only do it by scoring runs. And this is the biggest challenge for me,” said Soumya.

“In the Champions Trophy I stayed at the wicket for awhile against England. In the other games I got out quickly. When I score runs my batting looks good but when I can't score it looks ugly and unfortunately this is way I play,” the left-hander continued.

He said that the on-going fitness camp could be the first step for a turnaround.

“Fitness camps are always important for a cricketer. It is also very important if you are playing uninterrupted cricket for a long time. This is a place where you can make yourself fit and I'm trying to do that, working on my weaknesses,” he continued, adding that he looks forward to the Australia challenge. “The Champions Trophy was a one-day tournament. Against Australia we will play Tests. These are two different formats and at the moment I'm solely focused on fitness. If I get an opportunity I will try to do well against Australia.”

Australia are scheduled to play two Tests in Bangladesh, starting next month.

“I'm playing lower down the order in Test and the team management thinks I can better serve in that position. I have no problem to play at any position,” said Soumya when asked if he was comfortable batting lower down the order in Test.

Soumya also expressed his belief the Tigers will do well against Australia this time.

“We normally play a few Test matches and against Australia we play fewer. We are playing well in Tests of late. We had an outstanding series against England at home. The Australia series is a big opportunity for us. We are really excited to play against them. I hope that we will play good cricket against them. If I get a chance it will be my first Test game against Australia and I want to make it a memorable one,” said a confident Soumya.

He said that he was focused on his bowling.

“I always bowl in the nets. We had two seamers in a match before but now we play three pace bowlers. So there is very limited option for a fourth seamer to bowl in a match. Besides, we have always got a very strong spin attack. But I'm continuing to bowl in the nets and hope I can also do well as a bowler in the future,” he said, adding that it is very difficult to do both things together as it requires a different fitness level for an all-rounder.

Lastly, he spoke highly of his vastly experienced opening partner Tamim Iqbal.

“There are a lot of things one can learn from Tamim Bhai. When he is on strike I follow him, keenly. He is now playing differently. He is more matured. He can read the team situation very well and act accordingly,” Soumya observed.