Similar effect, different aims
Imtiaz Hossain continued his good form in the ongoing Dhaka Premier League as the 31-year old hit his second hundred in the competition at BKSP yesterday, but a 24-year old batsman who ruled the pitch on the same day at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur hogged most of the spotlight.
Prime Bank's Sabbir Rahman's second List A hundred, scored against Sheikh Jamal, and first in more than five years understandably drew much more attention than Imtiaz as the former paints on a broader canvas than the latter. While Imtiaz hardly has any ambitions beyond this league, Sabbir has bigger dreams.
“I had a target to put on a good performance in this league and so far things are going well. I just want to enjoy cricket, nothing else, and want to focus match by match and I am least bothered to think beyond this league,” said seasoned domestic campaigner Imtiaz, who scored an unbeaten 100 for Prime Doleshwar against Brothers Union.
Sabbir's celebration however depicted how happy the man was after his maiden hundred in the country's most coveted 50-over competition. Batting at number three, the right-hander took off his helmet, raised his bat and then kissed the wicket to celebrate his century.
“It's always important to score no matter where. I always try to play as per my potential. I failed to score in the first two games. In the second and third games I played with grit and I am hopeful I can continue it in the next matches,” said an excited Sabbir, who took little time to recall the last List A hundred he made in 2010 at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra.
Sabbir already showed that he has got the potential to excel in world cricket. The good-looking batsman already established himself as a one-down batsman for the national side in T20Is and has expressed his desire to become a contender for the number-three position in all formats.
The Dhaka league can be a good platform for the impressive batsman to push for his cause. “I may not get the chance to play at the number three position in international cricket but when I got the chance here, I want to capitalise on it,” said Sabbir.
For a top-order batsman, especially for a number three batsman, the most important thing is to build the innings properly and Sabbir displayed this attribute during his 97-ball 100.
“I always focus on staying at the crease till the last ball,” said Sabbir, making his motto clear.
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