I was upset when I wasn't selected for the national team: Imrul

Imrul Kayes, the left-handed opening batter, has been recalled in the ODI set-up as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a preliminary squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka ODIs. Kayes, who last played an ODI almost three years ago, is thankful to the BCB for giving him another opportunity. 

He along with Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Naim Sheikh, Soumya Sarkar and Mosaddek Hossain practised in Mirpur on Sunday ahead of the series. Fast bowlers Mehedi Hasan Rana and Al-Amin Hossain also joined them.

Kayes told the media, "I am thankful to the selectors. It becomes difficult to be ready to play international cricket when you are not in the squad. This call-up will give me an opportunity to rethink and work on my weaknesses. And I think it's a huge opportunity for me to represent Bangladesh again."

Kayes said that sometimes getting dropped from the national team proves counterproductive for players. He mentioned, "I was upset when I wasn't getting selected in the national team. A player misses the atmosphere of the dressing room when he is out of the team. But sometimes getting dropped works in favour of a cricketer because it gives him time to ponder and learn from mistakes."

"I never thought that I was out of the squad. I always believed that I was in contention and a call-up was on the cards if I performed," added Kayes.