DHAKA, July 7, 2025 (BSS)-Mohammad Saifuddin, considered as a pace-bowling allounder of the country, vowed to cement his place permanently after returning to the national team following a 13-month hiatus. 

By giving a reward for his consistent performance, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) selection panel included him into the three-match T20 series against Sri Lanka.

"The journey was very long. After 13 months, I got an opportunity in the national team again," he said here today ahead of leaving the country for Sri Lanka with some other players who were drafted into the Bangladesh T20 squad. 

The first T20 is on July 10 at Pallekele. 

"It is much more difficult to retain the place than getting an opportunity to play. So the goal is to cement the place permanently."

Saifuddin had a few camps in Mirpur and Chattogram to prepare him for the ultimate challenge, he said, adding that "I have tried to overcome all the adversities. I don't know how much I have succeeded, maybe the selectors were pleased with me, which is why I got this opportunity."

Once a regular member in the Bangladesh's white-ball squad, Saifuddin had taken 15 wickets in nine matches in the 2024 BPL, a performance that helped him to return to the national team during the T20 series against Zimbabwe, which was held before the T20 World Cup last year. 

Despite taking eight wickets in four matches in that series, the pace bowling all-rounder did not make it to the World Cup team.

He looked visibly upset after being overlooked. Despite getting a chance in the 'A' team, he took a leave to be with his wife, expecting a baby for the first time. Thereafter he missed the Global T20 League in Canada due to the visa complicacy. 

Then he took a leave from cricket for two months, citing mental fatigue. 
He returned to cricket during the last BPL and took 12 wickets in 12 innings for Rangpur Riders and scored 111 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 158.31 with the bat. 

Saifuddin has played 38 T20Is for Bangladesh so far, claiming 42 wickets. He scored 206 runs in 21 innings when he got the opportunity to bat. 
Saifuddin, however, spoke elaborately what he did to improve his bowling and batting skill.

"I had tried to improve my stock weapons. I worked on improving swing, yorker, keeping the line-length right. Former pacer Nazmul Hossain was in the camp as a coach. I spoke to him and worked as per his suggestion," he said.

Drawing the example of Tanzim Hasan Sakib whose 21 ball-33 cameo was key in Bangladesh's 16-run victory in the second ODI against Sri Lanka, Saifuddin said, as a pace bowling allrounder he also wants to contribute with such small but significant performance with the bat.

"If you look at Tanzim Sakib's last match (second ODI against Sri Lanka)...his cameo was quite useful for Bangladesh's victory," he said.

"If you look at the England team, two-three pace bowling allrounders play. The more allrounders play, the better for the team and the country. I will also try to do well, be it batting or bowling."