Nazmul eyes 2nd spot

Before making his international debut, Nazmul Islam Apu had already established himself in the domestic circuit and that experience has paid dividends for the 27-year-old from Narayanganj.

Nazmul, who made his T20I debut against Sri Lanka during the tri-nation series at home in February this year, has continued to impress with his tight lines and lengths in the shortest format of the game.

Nazmul is now eyeing the second spinner spot on the Bangladesh national team and informed that Shakib Al Hasan is comfortable with the idea of bowling as a pair and that comes as morale boost ahead of the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan.

"I am hoping to get settled in that [second spinner] spot and more importantly Shakib bhai told me that he gets more confidence when he gets me as the bowling partner. I am looking to bowl economical spells and Shakib told me to continue doing that as he is there for the breakthroughs and it helps to play as a team. As Shakib is the number one all-rounder I am trying to work according to his suggestions," Nazmul told reporters after a training session at the Sher-e-Bangla National stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

Although Nazmul has scalped just three wickets from seven T20Is, the left-arm spinner did show his experience of being in crunch situations during the Nidahas Trophy in March, where his 27-run spell from four overs against India impressed the selectors.

Nazmul, who invented the infamous 'snake dance' celebration, also informed that there will be more celebrations as such in the coming days.

"The training is going well and I hope that there will be more such celebrations in the coming days," he said with a smile.