'Fizz is a fantastic addition to Bangladesh'

Kumar Sangakkara has left Bangladesh in the manner that he always does: on top. The last time he came here, he went back home with the T20I World Cup and prior to that he had ambled his way to his first ever triple century. With 349 runs for the Dhaka Dynamites this time, he has exited the Bangladesh Premier League as the competition's highest run-getter. The best part about Sangakkara's stint in the BPL this time perhaps was the determination that he displayed in every single game. The 38-year-old may have retired from international cricket, but he clearly still has in him that sense of resolve that urges him to chase the next milestone. From describing how this visit had been his 'best ever trip' in Dhaka to speaking on his busy post-retirement life, Sangakkara spoke to The Daily Star's Naimul Karim and a Bengali daily at the team hotel prior to his departure.

The Daily Star: With the players' payment and fixing issues hovering around, were you initially a little concerned when you were approached to play in the BPL?

Kumar Sangakkara: Yeah I think you know that the BPL was unfortunately tainted before with all the issues you mentioned and when that happens a tournament loses its luster, it's sheen and players, especially international players, are always going to think twice before they come here and play. It's not only about the salary; it's about playing in a tournament that's healthy and good.

So I did take a lot of time to think about it. But at the same time with a new administration in Bangladesh, with Chandika Hathurusingha coaching here and the way Bangladesh has performed in the past year-and-a-half, this tournament is going to be vital for the development of their cricketers.

And with the assurances given and also the fact that they were really really looking very strongly to ensure that this tournament runs well, that made it slightly easier to decide. Having come here it has been a revelation. The tournament has been fantastic; the administrators have been brilliant, it has been run very well. The Cricket has been of a high standard. It's everyone's responsibility to make sure that together there is no chance for corruption.

TDS: You tweeted saying that Dhaka had changed in the last year or so. What are the changes that you have seen?

KS: I think Dhaka is a place where you need to know where to go in order to enjoy and it has been a revelation. This has been the most enjoyable trip I have had to Dhaka. So many new places have come up.

The attitudes of people have changed in a sense that people have always been very welcoming and very warm and hospitable, but I think everyone has embraced this tournament and everyone wants it to succeed and they take a lot of pride in it.

I am not just talking about the players and the administrators but also the people you meet on the street or anywhere else. I think this has been a great start for the rest of the years of the BPL.

Of course the traffic is still that in Dhaka. Sri Lankan traffic has increased as well in the past year and half. To actually come here and to enjoy what Dhaka has to offer, I think this is the first time that I have really done that and I think it's brilliant.

TDS: What are the new things that you have actually seen here?

KS: It's just the new places to go eat and new places to go see. Once you do that you find out that yes, you don't get overwhelmed by just one part, one side or one issue here. There is so much more to Dhaka than meets the eye. You need to have people to know how to take you to places. You could actually be anywhere in the world in those places.

TDS: You have played with Mustafizur Rahman. Many consider him to be a freak bowler…

KS: I don't think he is a freak. He is just a very good bowler with some very good variations and great accuracy and a good mindset. Bowlers like that come along very rarely. Fizz is a fantastic addition to Bangladesh. He will develop and learn more, but at this moment I look at him and I am extremely impressed. I have spoken to other foreign players everywhere and they all think the same; that he is a wonderful find for Bangladesh and that he is going to be a superstar.

TDS: Did you face him in the nets?

KS: I did, I did and I know how difficult he is. It takes you quite a while to get used to what he does. So that means that when batsmen do get used to his variations he has to keep changing so that he keeps the batsmen guessing.

TDS: Mustafizur is a part of a Bangladesh team that has done extremely well this year. Many have said that this team has the ability to do what Sri Lanka did in 1996. What are your thoughts on that comparison?

KS: I think Bangladesh is definitely on an upward trend. Of course Sri Lanka in 1996 was a singular event because we had the most experienced one-day side in the world. There was no one who had played more one-dayers than Sri Lanka at that time.

We had some of the best players in one-day cricket. And the rules and the wickets in one-day suited us perfectly. In those days, 220 runs was a score that you easily defend, especially in the sub-continent.

Times have changed, rules have changed and I think it has become a lot more even on sub-continental wickets. So Bangladesh, probably have a tougher uphill struggle than Sri Lanka. Players from Australia, England and South Africa have learnt to play spin a lot better now than in those days. So you find that these guys have become a lot better at playing us at our own game. Bangladesh will have to keep improving but the point is that they have a great chance.

TDS: How obvious is the change since Sri Lanka whitewashed them in 2014?

KS: They have changed a lot and I think Chandika Hathurusingha, Mario Villavarayan and Ruwan Kalpage have a lot to do with that because these guys know exactly what it takes. Hathurusingha is a very smart, intelligent, switched-on coach and a great player manager.

TDS: After your retirement you have played for Surrey, Warne's Warriors, the BPL and you have a number of other tournaments lined-up. Would you consider yourself to be the busiest retired cricketer?

KS: (laughs) I think all retired cricketers are busy and it's great. A few years ago once you retired that was it, you were finished. You had to find other things to do. But now after you retire, you have some great opportunities to go play cricket. I think we are very lucky in that sense and we have to appreciate that.

TDS: But is life a little boring now? Do you miss the limelight?

KS: I don't miss the limelight at all. I think being in the limelight is just a phrase. You just try and do as well as possible. Yes the motivation when you play for your country is very different in the sense that you take a lot of pride in wearing that jersey.

But the pride remains in the fact that you want to be at your best every time you go out to play. Be it playing with other retired players or playing in a tournament like this. You want to be fit and you want your skills to be at a high level because you don't want to go out there and look silly. So that drive and passion remains.

TDS: Now that you're retired, will you be more engrossed with your restaurant?

KS: Well hopefully yes. We are looking to expand the restaurant internationally as well. Let's wait and see.

TDS: Perhaps open a restaurant in Dhaka?

KS: I think Dhaka is a great place to come and set something up. It would be great to see if we can actually do that.

TDS: Finally, where do you see yourself five years from now?

KS: Oh well, hopefully done with playing cricket other than just a bit of backyard cricket with my son. I really don't know. Hopefully, I will just be able to spend a lot more time at home than I do right now.