Sabbir Rahman. Photo : BSS

CHATTOGRAM, Jan 24, 2025 (BSS)—Middle order batter Sabbir Rahman insisted that his intense practice and hardwork reflected in his performance in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), instilling further confidence that he has still many things to offer to the national team for at least five to seven years.

“Everything depends on Allah. I tried really hard to prepare myself through an intense practice. I think the preparation was good, which eventually reflected in my performance in BPL,” Sabbir told the BSS in an exclusive conversation recently.

“Since we have two matches left, I would try to do well in those two matches. I will try continue the good form. So Alhamdulillah, overall it’s a good experience.”

Sabbir Rahman, who is playing for Dhaka Capitals in this BPL, rose to the fame with an 18-ball unbeaten 33 in the gold-medal match of the 2010 Asian Games against Afghanistan.

His knock helped Bangladesh score 44 runs from the last five overs, which eventually became instrumental in ensuring the country's first gold in the Asian Games itself.

Since then he was touted as the first proper T20 batter of the country even though his leg-spin and fielding ability was envious. He though didn’t work on his leg-spin further, his electrifying fielding made Bangladesh good fielding side in 2015-2020.

His T20 form was catalyst to give him a smooth passage in ODI and Test cricket, the two formats in which he also thrived in. But a dip of form after 2019 saw him gradually going down the memory lane.

The form plunged to low to such extent that Sabbir didn’t get any team in the last season.

But he was determined to rediscover him after being roped in by Dhaka Capitals, said Sabbir.

“You know how tough it is to continue practice when you are out of the national team,” the 32-year old cricketer said adding, “facilities are minimal but the advantage was for me that I played in national team for seven years and so I knew what to, how to do and when to do. I knew which facilities and what type of practice I needed.” 

“I am from Rajshahi and I took a ground of Rajshahi Stadim to continue my practice. The grounds men helped me in this regard”

Sabbir said ,”I called up some junior and senior players of Rajshahi to help me in practice. I indeed practiced from 5 AM to 5PM everyday. I did it in my own initiative and I spent a lot of money to continue my practice properly. I invested here, knowing that it will help me in future.”

He said “There was no special guidance for me because the local coaches were busy that time. But I contacted with few coaches. I sent my practice videos to them and they gave the feedback. Based on their feedback I worked again.”

“I was dropped from the team, paying the price of my off form. I was in off form in a format but sometimes it happened that I was dropped from the another two formats.”

 “However the main thing was that I was not in form so I was axed. A player’s life is all about ups and downs. But I am trying to make a comeback. I still believe that I have 5/7 years of cricket left. I have many thing to offer still. So I will try my best,” Sabbir added. 

He though didn’t get matches regularly at initial stage of BPL. But when he got, he struck a 33 ball-82 not out against Chittagong, a knock that is considered as one of the best knocks in this BPL so far.

Dhaka lost that game and lost six straight matches but that innings gave them the belief that they can turn the table. Just one match later, Dhaka put up BPL highest 254-1, thanks to century of Liton Das and Tanzid Hasan Tamim and got back to winning way such way that they won three out of last four matches.

“It’s a team game. Still we have two matches left. I think we can make playoffs. But we have to win those two matches first and we have to wait for the results of the others. If we can play as a team, we can win those.”

“The team may be in good position or may face collapse when I come to bat. I tried to play according to the situation. I have been given the finisher role. So a six is important. When team experiences a collapse, I need to rebuild. The good thing is that our top order is playing well now.”

He however found this BPL completely new, compared to the other BPL, saying that he has never seen such dominating performance from the local players.

“This BPL seems to completely new, compared to the other BPL. The teams can effortlessly total 200 and 200 plus runs and it was still not safe because the opponents are chasing it successfully,” Sabbir said.

“The wicket was really good in Dhaka. It was same in Sylhet and Chittagong. Batters are enjoying here and similarly if the bowlers have skill, he will thrive in. That’s good for the BPL.”