Saif Hassan hopes to get into the best shape possible before the ODI series against Pakistan, as the final of the Bangladesh Cricket League One Day is scheduled to take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today.

Saif’s career was reinvigorated last year when he was called to play the three-match T20I series against the Netherlands before having an excellent Asia Cup.

However, he has played only six ODIs so far; all of those came last year, as Bangladesh were busy playing T20 format.

They are now scheduled to play as many as 22 ODIs as part of their preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup scheduled to take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

‘If you look at the last year or year and a half, I didn’t really get much opportunity to play ODIs,’ Saif said while talking to the reporters ahead of the BCL final in Mirpur on Monday.

‘We did play a few, but those were in between T20 matches. So now, with the upcoming ODI series, preparation during these gaps becomes even more important. I think that’s where the focus should be,’ he added.

Bangladesh will begin their busy international schedule by hosting Pakistan for a three-match ODI series starting on March 11.

The players are currently busy with the BCL One Day, where Saif is representing the Central Zone, one of the finalists.

‘Before any series, having match practice is obviously very important for a batter. So wherever I play, I always try to give my hundred per cent,’ he said.

‘Since we’ve reached the final, we have the opportunity to play one more match. It’s very good preparation for us ahead of the ODI series. Hopefully, we can play even better cricket in tomorrow’s match,’ he added.

He also said that his goal was to get into the best shape without having added expectations.

‘I don’t have any extra expectations from myself, but I’ll try to play as good cricket as possible and get into the best possible shape,’ he said.

Saif also reiterated the fact that the players needed to get on with other fixtures after missing out on the opportunity of playing the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

He said, ‘Deep down, in our hearts, everyone is disappointed. There’s no denying that.’

‘But I think as professional cricketers, it’s very important for us to move on. Since we’re now heading into ODI cricket and there’s an ODI World Cup ahead, the sooner we prepare ourselves for it, the better it will be,’ he added.