As Sylhet and Khulna Division prepared for their National Cricket League match at Sylhet Academy Ground while the national team faced Ireland at the main venue, the appeal of first-class cricket was unmistakable, especially for youngsters sharing the field with rising national fast bowler like 23-year-old Tanzim Hasan Sakib. Fresh from his Test debut earlier this year and carrying experience from a few ICC events, Sakib spoke to The Daily Star's Abdullah Al Mehdi about his game and his affinity towards first-class and Test cricket. The excerpts of the conversation are as follows:

The Daily Star [DS]: When you become a regular national team player and return to first-class cricket, it creates a different vibe within youngsters in the dressing room. Do you feel it too?

Tanzim Hasan Sakib [THS]: I feel it, to be honest. We also felt it when we were new in first-class cricket and saw senior players… I grew up this way, and I think they feel inspired too.

DS: There was a time when national team players didn't play first-class much, but now most of them try to take part. Does this signify the improvement of our first-class cricket standard?

THS: Definitely… It creates a competitive spirit, and everyone wants to improve. If I don't look above me, I won't improve. If you look below, you won't ever improve. When I see Taskin [Ahmed] bhai in good shape, I feel motivated to bowl better. I really enjoy playing first-class cricket.

DS: How is the competitive spirit?

THS: It's very competitive in Sylhet (smiles because of the number of pacers coming through from Sylhet). This Sylhet team feel like my home.

DS: What other things do you personally feel should be introduced into our first-class structure?

THS: I would say the wicket. If the wickets are good, our whole country's cricket will improve, just like India's has. When we play against them in age-level events, we are on par. But they score 200–250-run innings in first-class, and our batsmen don't have that experience. In events we are on par, and we did beat them in the U-19 World Cup.

DS: You mentioned being inspired by first-class teammates. Who inspired your Test dreams?

THS: I grew up watching Dale Steyn… Sitting at home, I spent all day watching Test cricket. Didn't miss many South Africa matches in life, especially when Steyn was bowling. So, watching Steyn is where my desire to play Test cricket came from. In Tests, you can bowl for a long time, show aggression, and enjoy the battle with the batsmen, which is difficult in shorter formats.

DS: Alongside Steyn, you mentioned your admiration for Jasprit Bumrah and Kagiso Rabada. What specific things do you try to take from them?

THS: Their skill, actually. The off-the-pitch movement and pace they generate. I follow that closely and try to implement it. I bowl around 135 to 140 kilometres per hour, and they bowl around that speed too. But their off-the-pitch movement makes the ball nip around a lot, which is very difficult for the batsman. So, I'm trying to see how I can master that skill.

DS: Do you feel hitting the pitch harder is what makes you tick?

THS: I am a hit-the-wicket bowler and have no other option. I'm not a swing bowler like Hasan Mahmud. I'm more similar to Taskin Ahmed.

DS: What is the biggest factor in achieving the off-the-pitch movement you mentioned?

Tanzim Hasan Sakib: I think that motion of brushing the surface and the seam position. Sometimes when the delivery falls on the seam, it doesn't happen. It's seen that the scrambled seam makes it happen. I'm trying to work on that. Scrambled seam gets more off the pitch, and [Mustafizur Rahman] Fizz bhai is best at it, and I'm trying to learn from him.

DS: You enjoy that direct eye contact with the batter?

THS: Yes, which you can do in Test cricket. So, Test cricket is very enjoyable, and definitely every cricketer's dream. It's also tough, but it's the ultimate format, in my opinion.