Mustafizur hopeful of making comeback in Tests

The paceman, once known for his accurate yorkers, underwent a shoulder surgery in August 2016, which forced him to make changes to his bowling action. This has made it easier for batsmen to pick his deliveries. "In the beginning a lot of players didn't know about me but they know me now," Mustafizur told The Daily Star. "I would usually take wickets but it's tougher now."

Mustafizur revealed that there are still some issues he's facing since his surgery: "I think there is something… some issue there. These days it's going in [block hole deliveries] well again. I am not getting the same confidence and need to be practising well. I think my hand changed slightly since the operation, it's nothing significant."

Despite the struggles, Mustafizur, who was also left out of the latest list of contracted players, is hopeful of playing for Bangladesh in all three formats once again. He last played in the ODIs and T20Is at home against Zimbabwe earlier this month. He picked up two wickets in the two ODIs he played, while he finished as the highest wicket-taker in the T20Is, snaring five in the two-match series.

"I think it's going well. The Zimbabwe ODIs were especially good since you get 10 overs and I tried to bring the ball back in during my first spell. It's not something you can do in a day. I have worked for two weeks on bringing the ball back in with (bowling coach) Ottis [Gibson] and hopefully it will get better as time passes," he added.

"I have been trying a few things to find out what works for me. The cutter is also there along with getting the ball to come back in. There will be ups and downs in cricket. If you cannot accept that, you will never become a great player. [Being dropped] is good for me since it gives me a chance to improve."