Where are they now? Marshall Ayub

A top-order batsman with all the shots in the book, Marshall Ayub was set to become a batting mainstay for Bangladesh for many, many years.

He had made his way up the ranks from under-19 cricket and spent eight years on the domestic circuit, scoring runs regularly, before finally getting his chance to debut at 24. 

The right-hander with flashy strokes and an aggressive attitude to take on the bowling was ripe for replacing Habibul Bashar, who had just retired from international cricket.

Filling Bashar's boots was going to be no easy task, but after getting starts in three Tests and a top-score of 41, Marshall was dropped.

To this day, he plays domestic cricket and is among the runs regularly, but aged 31, those three Tests remain is only games in international cricket. 

So what happened to Marshall Ayub? Why did he not get another opportunity? 

In our second part of the 'Where are they now?' series, The Business Standard interviewed Marshall, to find out exactly what happened. 

TBS: How are you spending your time during this pandemic?

Marshall: I've been home since the outbreak of the pandemic. I don't step out too much. I've been trying to maintain my fitness as there is some gym equipment here.

TBS: Tell us about how you first got into cricket.

Marshall: My uncle had a cricket academy at Gendaria which is called 'Dhupkhola Cricket Academy'. That's where I started playing cricket. Then I got selected in the under-13 national team along with Tamim Iqbal and Suhrawardy Shuvo. That's how I got into cricket.

TBS: Who are your cricketing idols?

Marshall: When I used to play at the academy, Bulbul Bhai (Aminul Islam) often paid a visit. He inspired me a lot when I was young. Among Bangladeshi players, I liked watching Mohammad Ashraful play as well. I was wowed by the batting of Rahul Dravid and Ricky Ponting too.

TBS: You made your national team debut against New Zealand in 2013. How was that feeling?

Marshall: Making a debut for your country is definitely a memorable moment for any cricketer. I was no different. When I was handed over my Test cap, I was extremely excited. The match was against New Zealand in Chattogram. I  stitched a useful 100-odd run partnership with Mominul Haque. It was a great feeling to contribute to the team.

TBS: You were picked for only three Tests before not getting another look in. Why was that?

Marshall: I didn't perform that badly in those three Test matches. Yes, I didn't do anything extraordinary. But I think I deserved some more chances before facing the axe. At that time, we didn't enjoy the backing of the management which guys get now. It's a good thing for the betterment of our cricket.

TBS: Do you feel like you deserved to get more chances, especially in other formats for the national team?

Marshall: I could've been given some more chances in Tests because at that time my records were excellent in longer version cricket.

TBS: You could've been the successor of Habibul Bashar after he retired. Do you think you were overlooked at that time?

Marshall: I was called up long after the retirement of Bashar Bhai (Habibul Bashar). I was included as a replacement of Abir Bhai (Shahriar Nafees) during the Sri Lanka tour. But I didn't get a game. After the series, I was excluded from the squad. Then after making my debut, I played three matches. After that, I was dropped and never got selected again. Some more chances would enable me to prolong my career and serve the team for a longer period of time.

TBS: You have been playing first-class cricket since 2005 with over 8,000 runs and a decent average of over 37, do you feel you have a chance to make it back to the national team?

Marshall: I've been playing first-class cricket for a long time now. I completed 8000 runs last year. I've been in good nick. But now that I am in my thirties, I have to perform much better than others to come in contention of the selection. I have to perform extraordinarily well to make a comeback.

TBS: You are still just 31, how long do you plan to play cricket?

Marshall: I will continue playing cricket as long as I am fit to play. Now the board puts a lot of emphasis on fitness. I can pass the beep test easily at this age and I think I have another 5-7 years of cricket left in me.

TBS: What needs to change in our system to ensure cricketers get proper chances in international cricket?

Marshall: A lot of changes have been brought over the past few years. Board has put a lot of importance on fitness. Lively, grassy wickets have been prepared and a lot of matches have been played there. There are a few other changes that can be made. If BCB can send our Under-19 team, Academy team, High-Performance team and A team to tours in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia), it would bring good results for our cricket in the long run. Also, if they telecast our four-day tournaments live on television, it will be useful especially for Test cricket.

TBS: What is your fondest memory in cricket so far? Is it the record 494-run partnership with Mehrab Hossain Jnr.?

Marshall: Definitely that record 494-run partnership with Mehrab Hossain jnr. is the most memorable and fondest moment in my career. Even now we reminisce about the partnership. It was also frustrating for me, not getting a triple hundred. Also, the first delivery I faced in Test cricket is also a memorable one.