Ebadot eager to pounce on ODIs after Mt Maunganui heroics

"I was actually surprised…," was pacer Ebadot Hossain's immediate reaction over his maiden call-up to the Bangladesh ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against Afghanistan.

In a video message on Monday, the right-arm paceman, who was adjudged player-of-the-match for leading Bangladesh to a historic win in New Zealand in the Mount Maunganui Test, said: "When I first heard that I was picked for the ODI side, I was actually surprised."

Bangladesh players, who are currently in Chattogram to play the ODI series from February 23, enjoyed holiday today on the International Mother Language Day but Ebadot shared his thoughts on his maiden call-up and the upcoming series.

"I'll try my best to do well. I played only 11 List A matches but I got huge support from Tamim [Iqbal] bhai, Mashrafe [Bin Mortaza] bhai and [Mahmudullah] Riyad bhai during BPL. I'm now training with the white-ball," Ebadot said.

 "In Test cricket, you need the ability to bowl in one spot the whole day, so I'll try my best to adjust with the white-ball cricket. I will try to use the new ball here," Ebadot added.

Regarding Ebadot, chief selector Minhajul Abedin had said right after declaring the squad: "Ebadot is normally our Test bowler. Overall, the way he has been working with the bowling unit has impressed them and pleased us. We have already seen in the shorter version that he is quite capable of controlling the white ball. That's why we are considering him for the ODIs."

Ebadot, alongside his fellow quicks, is looking to carry on playing the decisive roles in games for the Tigers.   

"I think our fast bowling department is doing well recently. We, the fast bowlers, will try to help the team win at least one or two matches. As a team, we will try to dominate in all three matches," Ebadot concluded.