WI vs BAN | ‘I am very excited to get my hands on the Dukes ball’- Shoriful Islam

Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam has been drafted into the Test squad for the second Test against the West Indies after being declared fit by the medical staff.

Shoriful was hit on his finger by Sri Lankan pacer Kasun Rajitha in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Chattogram last month, which ruled him out for the entire series. 

Later, it was confirmed that there was a fracture on Shoriful's little finger, and he was then ruled out for five weeks. However, the left-arm fast bowler has made a speedy recovery, and he's now all set to join the Test squad in Bangladesh.

A Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) press release confirmed that the young pacer will leave for St Lucia after passing the fitness Test.

"Left-arm paceman Shoriful Islam will leave for St Lucia tonight (June 20) to join the Bangladesh squad for the second Test match against the West Indies starting on June 24," a BCB official release stated.

The left-arm pacer departed for St Lucia on Monday to join the Bangladesh squad for the second match of the series, which starts on Friday.

The U-19 World Cup-winning bowler is excited to get his hands on Dukes, and he's very keen to play in the West Indies.

"I have heard a lot of things about Dukes balls but still have not touched it. When I reach there, hopefully I will get the chance to have a look at the ball (Dukes), and I am very excited," Shoriful Islam told reporters at the BCB academy.

"I was very keen to play the Test in the West Indies, and let's see what happens. I am feeling well (after recovering from an injury), and I feel that I am in a good state at the moment," he added.

On his return from the injury, the Bangladesh cricketer talked about his mindset during the injury layoff period.

"No one wants to get injured and after picking up an injury, naturally I feel bad when I am doing the rehabilitation because everyone wants to be playing and missing matches certainly hurts and at that point, it really feels bad and when I make a comeback it always gives me a good feeling,'' he stated.

Bangladesh's Test skipper Shakib Al Hasan was pleased with the performance of his pace attack despite being thumped by the West Indies at Antigua as they managed to put some pressure on the host unlike in the past when the pacers were considered to play second fiddle for the Bangla Tigers.

"Naturally when someone like Shakib Bhai (Shakib Al Hasan) says good thing about pacers it only inspires us," said Shoriful on Shakib factor on the seamers.

"I have not played there but what I have seen is that if the ball is pitched in the right area there is an advantage and so I will try to maintain the right line and length," he concluded.