After a 20-month exile, former national all-rounder Nasir Hossain made his long-awaited return to competitive cricket as he represented Rupganj Tigers in the DPL match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Rupganj comfortably clinched an eight-wicket victory against Gazi Group Cricketers, but the spotlight was firmly on Nasir. With the ball, he showed signs of rhythm delivering a tight spell of 10 overs and conceding just 31 runs while claiming a wicket. However, his return with the bat was less memorable as he was dismissed for nine off 11.
Nasir, 33, comes after a two-year ban imposed by the ICC in 2023, which included a six-month suspended sentence for failing to report corrupt approaches during his participation in the Abu Dhabi T-10 League in 2021. He was found guilty of concealing information about receiving an iPhone as a 'gift', a violation that ultimately sidelined him from all forms of cricket.
Now back on the pitch, Nasir is eyeing a bigger goal of donning the national jersey once again. "Those who play cricket, play to represent the country. I still dream of playing for the national team," he told reporters after the match. "I believe there's still a chance. If I perform and the board evaluates fairly, I believe I can return."
Nasir didn't shy away from criticizing the previous selection committee led by Minhajul Abedin Nannu blaming them for not giving him enough opportunities despite consistent domestic performances. "When I did well in the BPL, I wasn't even called for 'A' team games or practice matches," he lamented. "How can a player expect to play for the national side without being considered for these platforms?"
He further raised concerns about the lack of rotation in the selection panel. "In abroad, selectors are changed every two years. But here, someone stays in the same role for nearly a decade and players fall victim to personal biases. If someone doesn't like you, your career could be over," Nasir said.
Once a staple in Bangladesh's white-ball sides, Nasir played 19 Tests, 65 ODIs, and 31 T20i matches for the Greens and Reds.
