Soumya awaits chance as competition grows up top

When is the right time for a cricketer to secure a place in the playing XI?This question has been lingering for some time, especially after Soumya Sarkar failed to make the cut against Pakistan in the three-match ODI series at home.

Soumya had scored a match-winning 91 against West Indies in the final game of Bangladesh's previous home ODI series before hosting Pakistan, and he appeared to be in good form, if nothing else. Ahead of the New Zealand series, Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons stressed that Soumya needs to keep pushing himself if he wants to earn a spot, according to Cricbuzz.

On Thursday, Bangladesh skipper Mehidy Hasan added that the experienced opener remains firmly in the team's plans, even as competition intensifies ahead of the New Zealand ODIs, with Tanzid Hasan and Saif Hasan currently the first-choice opening pair.

Left-handed opener Tanzid enjoyed a productive Pakistan series in February, playing a quickfire 67 to help chase down a modest target in the opening match. He followed that up with his maiden ODI century, scoring 107 in the third and final game to seal the series for Bangladesh.