'Was a very difficult time' - Bangladesh spinner Nayeem Hasan opens up on post-surgery struggles

Bangladesh off-spinner Nayeem Hasan was the pick of the bowlers for the home side Bangladesh during their first innings against Sri Lanka at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. The off-spinner grabbed a total of six wickets including some prominent batters like Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, and Niroshan Dickwella.

The 21-year-old bowled a total of 30 overs for the home side and gave away 105 runs and bagged a six-wicket haul. The young off-spinner made his debut in 2018, but has so far has played only eight Test matches. He recently opened up on the difficult time he had to face after undergoing surgery and having missed the action because of the injury issues.

All I was thinking to get a chance in the playing XI: Nayeem Hasan

“It was a very difficult time (after the surgery). It is always tough when you are injured but I tried to adapt. There were times when I was with the team but Miraj (Mehidy) Bhai was really playing well and so I did not get a chance. When I was injured all I was doing was keeping myself prepared so that when my time comes I can perform,” Nayeem was quoted by Cricbuzz

All I was thinking (after getting a chance in the playing XI) was that when my time comes I will try to give my hundred percent irrespective of the result and that was my only focus,” he added.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh on Day 2 made an excellent comeback in the Test match. At first, they stopped the visitor’s first innings on 397 runs and have responded strongly with the bat so far. At the end of Day 2, Bangladesh has already scored 76/0 in just 19 overs with Mahmudul Hasan Joy (31 off 66 balls) and Tamim Iqbal (35 off 52 balls) still at the crease. Even though a lot of cricket is left to be played in the first Test match, both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will want to obtain an upper hand on Day 3