DHAKA, Nov 3, 2024 (BSS)-Opener Zakir Hasan vowed to cement his place in the ODI cricket if he is given opportunity in the first XI in the upcoming three-match series against Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

While he was almost a regular face in longer version format, Zakir so far got limited opportunity in ODI cricket even though it is believed his skill is tailor-made for the white-ball cricket.

"Personally I want to do well if I am given the opportunity to play. This is the high time to show my talent," Zakir said ahead of leaving the country with the rest of the group of players for the UAE, an adopted venue of Afghanistan. 

Zakir had played just one ODI, that too in 2023 against New Zealand in Mirpur. He scored just one. He is included in the squad basically due to the illness of Liton Das. 

If all goes well, he is likely to open the innings against Afghanistan. The left-handed batter is very confident in solving the team's opening problems by giving his best if given an opportunity.

"We want to play as a team. I know a good start from the top order batters is badly needed if we want to do well against Afghanistan," Zakir said. 

However, after spending a great time in Pakistan where they swept the two-match series in emphatic fashion, the performance of the Tigers has taken a huge nosedive as they made a meek surrender to India and South Africa thereafter by putting up a horrible performance.

The top order batters irresponsible batting is believed to lead the side's downfall in those four matches. 

But the ODI format gives Bangladesh a lot confidence to get back into the groove, Zakir said.

"It is true that we are not getting off to a good start," Zakir said. "In Test format, our openers couldn't do well and that's the reason for our downfall. But another series is coming up and it's ODI, a format which we always play well. Hopefully things will go as per our expectation."

The batter, hailed from Sylhet said that he is trying to find out exactly where the problem lies.

"We all are trying to find out where the mistakes lied. We need to fix those errors. Hopefully we'll overcome the problems and our top order will come back to form to give us a good start," he remarked.

Meanwhile, before the series in South Africa, the coach of Bangladesh suddenly changed as Phil Simmons replaced by Chandika Hathurusinghe. 

This Caribbean has not been able to work with the team in that way yet and couldn't even recognize the players properly. But Zakir believes that the team will turn around soon under him.

"He came with short notice and got very little time. He is still watching the cricketers. Hopefully we will get more from him in the future. Since another series has come up, he has got time to regroup. He is now trying to know us well," he added. 

Knowing that Afghanistan are always a tough side to beat, Zakir said they are ready to overcome the challenge. 

"Challenges are definitely there but I think it will be a very good series. As far as I know Sharjah wickets are very good. Hopefully we'll play well and as a team, we will try to improve match by match," Zakir concluded.