Former Bangladesh skipper Habibul Bashar is certainly not eyeing captaincy again, but he still hopes to play for his country.

By Bipin Dani

"Yes I have not given up hope to play for Bangladesh. Our season kicks off with the Twenty20 match from October 10 and I have already started practising for that," said the 37-year-olf from Dhaka.

Bashar's best moment as captain came when Bangladesh entered the Super Eights in the 2007 World Cup, and their campaign included victories against India and South Africa.

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However, his batting form suffered and as a non-contributing senior, he was dropped from the team. He was also replaced as captain by Mohammad Ashraful.

With no signs of a recall, he decided to join the Bangladesh exodus to the ICL in 2008 and was named captain of the Dhaka Warriors. He was subsequently handed a 10-year ban by the BCB.

After accepting the amnesty scheme announced by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Bashar is waiting for the "cooling period" to be over.

Impish and impulsive, Bashar has the style and strokes of a genuine Test player.

"I consider myself to be a Test player and want to concentrate more on Tests rather than playing 50-over and Twenty20 games".

The first Test victory for Bangladesh came under his able leadership in 2004 against Zimbabwe and then his team went on to beat Australia, India, South Africa and Sri Lanka in limited overs cricket, as well.

Bashar has refused to accept the farewell retirement plan as yet.

"I still have talent and want to prove myself at the domestic level before being recalled. I don't want the selectors to come and offer me the farewell Test retirement plan," he said.

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