Bangladesh batsman Imrul Kayes insisted that his loss of form for the national team occurs due to journalists asking questions and talking about it. Previously Test skipper Mominul Haque had reiterated in the same vein during the India tour that journalists asking questions puts pressure on the players and plays on their minds which ultimately results in hindered performance.

Imrul played a magnificent knock under pressure today to help his side Chattogram Challengers defeat Sylhet Thunders in the opening game of the BPL. However, his form for the national team has come under fire recetly, especially since the India tour where he failed to cope with the pace and swing against India pacers in the Test format.

Although not a regular member of Bangladesh's T20 side, today he struck some brilliant flowing shots in the BPL T20 match. He found things comfortable. Asked why there was a difference in performance while playing for the national side, Imrul replied: "I lose my form when you guys [journalists] ask questions. I stay in form and then lose it."

"I am not upset about my cricket career. When I play for the national side I consider myself to be lucky. My career could have been furthered but I am not upset now. My aim is to play well in the future," he added.

Imrul found himself amongst the runs today with a 38-ball 61, ensuring a victory for his side. He was happy to start in a good vein of form. He explained the pressure factor in international cricket as a cause for slump in performance.

"For the national team we might play one or two T20 matches in a series. There are times when I don't play continuously. There are times I play two matches, Test or ODIs before playing a T20 and if I don't score runs in the first match, the rest of the matches become difficult. Here [in BPL] I know that I will play whether I perform or not. Freedom is important and when it's there, the performance changes," Imrul reiterated.