A left handed opening batsman and an occasional wicket-keeper, Imrul Kayes’ impressive performances in the 2007-08 National Cricket League and on the Academy tour of Sri Lanka saw him playing for the national team just one and half years after his array in domestic cricket.

Imrul's first few ODI appearances didn’t inspire much confidence but nevertheless Bangladesh decided to use him as an opener on the 2008 Test tour of South Africa. He had a forgettable debut mopping up scores of just 10 and 4 in his two innings and despite his failure to improve in consequent appearances, Bangladesh continued to persist with him in the longer format of the game though he was dropped from the ODI arena. But in early 2010, he was recalled in ODIs and since then has been a regular in the side. Playing as sheet anchor, he has proven an ideal foil for the belligerent Tamim Iqbal and the two in recent times have formed a successful partnership at the top of the order.

Kayes though still has a lot to improve going forward. At times, he has a tendency to get stuck at the crease while inconsistency remains his second biggest handicap. At present, the role of a grafter is working to his advantage but in present day ODIs where scores in excess of 300 have become a norm, Kayes’s big hitting abilities may come under scrutiny.