Despite a six month ban from domestic cricket, losing his central contract, being handed a heavy fine of Tk 20 lakh and three demerit points, Sabbir Rahman will not hold back when he takes the field in the upcoming tri-nation ODI series, which begins tomorrow at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
Sabbir spoke to the media for the first time since being punished for assaulting a young fan, during a National Cricket League game, yesterday. Asked whether he will remain as aggressive on the field, the right-hand batsman replied: “Sabbir will always be aggressive.”
“It has had a huge impact on me on a personal level, but as a professional cricketer, I treat it like ‘past is past’. I am trying to recover from it, and not let it affect me in the match. I want to support the national team as much as possible. Actually there is nothing negative in my mind at the moment and I am not thinking about the demerit points whether it’s one or ten points,” Sabbir told reporters after a training session at the tournament venue.
Sabbir, who has played 46 ODI’s, and has been going through a lean patch of late, scoring 8,19,19,17 and 39 runs respectively in his last five innings. However, the stylish right-hander informed that he has been working on his weak points and is looking forward to delivering in the tri-series.
“I might have had some poor performances recently but I am well prepared. I have tried to strengthen my weak points. I will try to do well in the upcoming matches. I worked on playing spin, playing off the front foot. Runs depend a lot on luck; technique doesn’t always make a big difference. I want to come back strong,” he said.
The cricketer from Rajshahi is often criticised for his lack of temperament while batting, however he also informed that batting in a different order requires a different temperament, therefore he might bat at number five or six.
“I think this is how I play. Batting at No 3 and down the order requires a different temperament. I am trying to adjust to the situation. I am thinking of how to finish games,” Sabbir added.
Sabbir, who is yet to smash a century, also informed: “I am actually disappointed about it as well. I am trying to smash a century and InshaAllah I will be able to do so in the coming days. At the same time I would also like to continue playing agressive cricket.”
The Daily Star.
