DHAKA, Jan 15, 2024 (BSS)-Pace bowler Shoriful Islam vowed to further cement

his place as the leading pacer of Bangladesh by carrying his last yearn form
into the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), set to start on January
19.

Bangladesh have a packed International schedule in this year with the T20
World Cup in the main focus. A good performance in BPL will be a precursor to
the success in the upcoming matches, according to the lanky fast bowler.

"The last year, specially the last six/seven months have been good for me. I
will return to the cricket with BPL this year. I will try to carry my last
year's form to this tournament," Shoriful, who led the Bangladesh bowling
attack successfully last year in the absence of the likes of Taskin Ahmed and
Ebadot Hossain, told the reporters today.

He said as the T20 World Cup will be held this year, he would like to play
BPL keeping the global tournament in mind.

"No doubt, BPL will help a lot since T20 World Cup is ahead. This is our
prime T20 tournament. Everyone wants to draw the attention by performing well
here. I think the tournament will benefit us in preparing for the T20 World
Cup," he remarked.

Because of packed schedule, which included 14 Tests apart from a number of
bilateral series and T20 World Cup, the workload of the fast bowlers has come
under the scanner. Shoriful had to take huge load in absence of Taskin and
Ebadot last year, which many believes will raise his injury concern in the
coming days.

The fitness issue is in Shoriful's mind also as he said he would try his best
to keep him fit to play for the country.

"There will be an earnest endeavor to play as many matches as I can to by
staying fit. We have packed International schedule ahead so my target is to
play for the country."

Shoriful will be playing for Durdanto Dhaka in this BPL along with his
national team teammate Taskin Ahmed. It is believed both of the first choice
pacers of Bangladesh would hunt in tandem to keep the opponents on toes.

"Our first goal is to reach the playoffs. If we can make it, we'll try to
play the final. We have some good local players like myself, Mosaddek Hossain
Saikat, Taskin Ahmed, Irfan Shukkur, Saif Hassan, Naim Sheikh...if we local
players can do well, and can come up with some match winning performances, it
would be great for the team."