Sabbir: Playing for Bangladesh again would be like second debut

Right-handed batsman Sabbir Rahman feels it will be like a second debut for him after his six-month international cricket sanction was reduced by a month by the BCB Wednesday.

“Actually this is my second life. When I play the first match (after the ban ends), it would be like my second debut for Bangladesh. I will try to do well from here on. The way Sabbir used to play before, I want to rediscover myself. If I fail, I will keep faith in myself. I want to play according to the team management’s demand,” Sabbir said to the media in the port city Thursday.

Sabbir had been dealt the six-month international ban in the first week of September last year and that ban was initially supposed to end on February 28 this year.

But that has been reduced as Bangladesh travel to New Zealand in February and the first ODI starts on February 13 in Napier. 

Sabbir has had past indiscretions where issues off the field have resulted in a previous ban from all domestic competitions but he would like to put them in the past and focus on a better future.

He said, “I don’t want to think about the past. I want to make sure no such things happen in future.” 

‘#Sabbir selection is because of #Mashrafe’s recommendation’ https://t.co/hzv9FRqpv9

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Sabbir knew that if he had performances on the field and had a good showing in the BPL without any off field issues, he would be back in national team reckoning.

“I was confined to my feelings. I couldn’t share it with anyone. At the same time, I knew opportunities (of returning to national team reckoning) would be there if I played well in the BPL, and I have been able to do that. Let’s see if I can play well for the national side,” he said.

The 27-year old has so far played all eight games in this season’s BPL for the Sylhet Sixers and scored 154 runs at an average of 19.25 and a strike rate of 116.66. 

His best innings came against the Rangpur Riders where he scored 85. 

“This is a big stage, a bit like the international arena. Competition and pressure are the same. I played eight matches here but couldn’t score that many runs. I only played a significant knock and perhaps that helped me to get back to the national team. I want to do even better in the last four games. I will try to give my best,” Sabbir added. 

The aggressive right-handed batsman was very thankful to the BCB and his fans for their continued support and wished to make sure he repaid the faith they have showed on him.

“I want to thank the BCB for heaping faith on me, and supporting me. Again, thanks to everyone - my fans and followers who have supported me - I will try to repay their trust and maintain my pride and honour,” he concluded.