'I want to score big now'

A regular face in the national set-up only two years ago before he fell out of favour, things have changed drastically for Nasir Hossain, the talented all-rounder who played the last of his 17 Tests in 2015, as he has returned to the squad for the first Test against Australia.

Since being left out of the national side, the 25-year-old has been performing consistently in the domestic circuit, where he scored his maiden double hundred in the National Cricket League earlier this year.

According to Nasir he has been successful with his plan in domestic cricket and informed that he will look to continue the same way if he gets the opportunity in the Test side against Australia.

"I had some plans when I played the National League and the BCL [Bangladesh Cricket League] -- I was successful and scored runs. There is always a plan for the national side but there is a difference when it comes to planning for the national team as the environment is totally different here. But I will continue the way I planned if I get the opportunity to play," Nasir said to the media after the training session at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

The right-hander, who has scored 971 runs in 17 Tests including a hundred and six fifties, said that he might bat at number six or seven if he gets the opportunity and also informed that it will be a challenge to bat in the lower middle order.

Nasir added that performance is the solution to everything and he is focused on performing well wherever he plays.

"Performance is the solution to everything. Whether one is playing with the national team or anywhere else, if you don't perform well you won't be able to keep your spot. I am excited. We are playing Australia after 11 years and I haven't played against Australia before. Australia dominate Test cricket and performing well against them can change one's approach and career," he said.

According to the selectors Nasir was picked as the back-up off spinner for Mehedi Hasan and the cricketer from Rangpur, who has eight Test wickets to his name, informed that he enjoys bowling and is looking forward to giving his best if given the opportunity.

When asked for the differences between the Nasir who made his debut six years back to the player answering questions yesterday, Nasir said with a smile: "There wasn't a moustache that time. Obviously, when you play badly you can't be in the side; that's normal. But at the same time when you perform you will make a comeback to the team and since I was left out from the national team I tried to perform. There were a few mistakes in my career and if I wanted I could have played more big knocks -- I was a bit casual back then. But now I try to stay long at the wicket and score big," he added.