Want to follow seniors footsteps to move Bangladesh forward: Sohan

Dhaka, 24 July -Nurul Hasan Sohan was handed the responsibility of a team T20 squad, which is formed without any senior players after a long time.

Tamim Iqbal had already retired from this format while Shakib Al Hasan took a break from the Zimbabwe series. Mahmudullh Riyad who is still the regular captain of this format and another senior player Mushfiqur Rahim were rested as Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chose to send a young team in Zimbabwe.

However there is a sense of belief that both Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim were dropped in the name of rest as the BCB wanted to form a completely new brand of T20 team after the team's perpetual struggle under senior cricketer's leadership in this format so far.

Sohan though was appointed captain for only Zimbabwe series, the BCB think tank is keen to give him a long run.

But Sohan said he will take the team forward from where they left off. "The contribution of our seniors in Bangladesh cricket can't be described in one or two words. Now everything is in process. It is an opportunity for us to move forward," Sohan said here today.

"They brought the Bangladesh team to a place. It is the responsibility of those of us who are juniors or playing to take it to the next level. It's an opportunity for everyone. The main thing is that we have to play well as a team. It will be good if we can do that."

The main driving force of any team is believed to be team dressing room. Mutual respect, love and sharing of responsibilities towards teammates is a great source of driving force.

Sohan said about making the environment of this dressing room stronger and better in the future. According to him the dressing room bonding of the Bangladesh team has improved a lot in the last few years.

"I think we can do this thing better... The contribution of senior cricketers to Bangladesh cricket cannot be said in one or two words. What is important is that how we can do better, how we can fill in the things that are lacking, before we move on to the next step."

Sohan took over the T20 captaincy from Mahmudullah, under whom he played earlier in his career. Sohan wants to give his all in 22 yards, having
developed himself with the experience gained from the previous captain and contact with other seniors.

"When my first-class career started, Riyad Bhai was my captain. I have learnt a lot from him since then. We have five senior cricketers, Mashrafe Bhai may not be in the team now. There is much to learn from all of them. The thing is, everyone is different," he opined.

"All of them have been spoken to. It was a normal conversation, nothing special. I played with them for many days. Everyone has played under the leadership of them. I will try to give my hundred percent in everything."