A new dawn for Gazi

"I consider it a new debut for me."

That was how Shohag Gazi termed his return to the national side after nearly a one-year break.

The 23-year-old off-spinner -- who made headlines in October 2013 after becoming the first cricketer in the history of Test cricket to score a century, take a hattrick and finish with more than five wickets in an innings -- pointed towards his club's T-shirt while he was talking at the Mirpur Indoors yesterday and said that it was not easy to accept that he was bowling in the national team's nets wearing a jersey other than the national one.

"The feeling was not good as I bowled in the national team nets wearing a different jersey but I know it's natural. I must consider the recall as a turning point in my career. The team has been doing well. The newcomers are doing well, so it's not easy to get a place while competing with them. I still think I am new in international cricket. I also know without performing I cannot survive," said Gazi in his instant reaction over his inclusion in the side for the two-match T20I series against South Africa.

The concern was whether he can bowl the same way as he did in the past after remodelling his action and how ready he was to return to action after his long hiatus since his last ODI in August last year against the West Indies.

There was however no shortage of confidence in the bowler.

"My action has not changed much. My action resembled the other spinners and I practised like that. Everything is okay now. I played the national league, the Dhaka league and BCL and I am satisfied with my action. Yes, I may feel a bit nervous but I prepared myself to make a new start," said a confident Gazi, who cleared the test in his second attempt in Chennai after he was suspended on October 8 last year.

Gazi was reported during the second ODI against West Indies in August last year which had virtually shattered his dream of playing the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

When his attention was drawn to Pakistan off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez, who is again embroiled in problems after remodelling his action, Gazi said, "I always took videos in my mobile phone and I don't think there is any problem. And I worked hard with my action; even bowling 800 deliveries in a single day."

Gazi made sure to thank his family who supported him through the tough time.

"I must thank my family for their support. Whoever supports you in the bad times is a genuine friend. I had to do everything myself but still I needed some support and I got it from my family, not any other people.

"I know very well what one should need to do to get a place in the national team. I can only benefit through hard work and nothing else," he concluded.