Nurul Hasan Sohan could consider himself unlucky. Despite consistent performances in white-ball cricket over recent years, he remains on the fringes of the national team.
His standout performance in the Dhaka Premier League, Bangladesh’s only 50-over domestic tournament in the past two years, was expected to turn things around. Many thought that the 31-year-old wicketkeeper-batter would earn a long-overdue recall for the ODI series against Sri Lanka. But the selectors once again overlooked him for the 16-man squad.
Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu had no clear explanation. He cited a year-long finger injury as a reason for Sohan’s absence in the past, and this time pointed to the presence of Liton Das and Zakir Ali Anik as wicketkeeper-batters in the team. Still, he insisted that Sohan was “in consideration” and noted that he had been named captain of the ‘A’ team.
But the reasoning did not sit well with many. Sohan’s recent performances with both bat and gloves speak volumes. In the recent series against New Zealand ‘A’, Sohan scored centuries in both the four-day match and the ODI format, showcasing readiness for international duty.
In this year’s Dhaka Premier League, he scored 512 runs in 11 innings, including two centuries and two fifties, with an average of 58 and a strike rate of 93.54. Last year, he tallied 495 runs with similar consistency.
Even Sohan’s critics admit that, especially in the absence of veterans like Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah, his presence would have strengthened the squad against Sri Lanka.
In a brief phone interview with Jago News from Chattogram where he was preparing for a warm-up match Sohan refrained from criticizing the selectors. “That’s up to the team management and selectors. They’ve done what they felt was right,” he said.
Still, Sohan did not hide his disappointment. “My life’s goal is to play for the national team,” he said. “All year long I work to stay fit, strong, and in form for that one dream. I’ve given my best in the BPL, NCL T20, DPL, and for the A team. I thought my performances would be enough.”
He added with deep emotion, “Sometimes I ask myself, what’s the point of playing if I can’t represent my country? I don’t play just to be part of domestic and franchise leagues. I want to give everything I have to my country. If I can’t do that, what’s the point?”
Sohan’s words reflect the heartbreak of a player who continues to fight with grit, passion, and patience hoping his time will still come.
Also Read:
1. Why is Nurul Hasan Sohan disappointed despite performing well in domestic cricket?
Sohan is disappointed because, despite strong performances in domestic tournaments like the Dhaka Premier League and for Bangladesh ‘A’ team, he was not selected in the national ODI squad. He feels that his efforts and consistent form have not been rewarded with a place in the team.
2. What has been Sohan’s recent performance in domestic and A-team cricket?
In the 2024–25 Dhaka Premier League, Sohan scored 512 runs in 11 matches, including two centuries and two half-centuries, with an average of 58 and a strike rate of 93.54. He also impressed with centuries against New Zealand ‘A’ in both red- and white-ball formats, showcasing his readiness for international cricket.
3. What did Sohan say about his career ambitions?
Sohan stated that his ultimate goal is to play for the national team. He questioned the purpose of playing cricket if he’s never given that opportunity, emphasizing that he doesn’t want to end his career in club or franchise cricket alone. He remains committed to giving his all for Bangladesh.