Sabbir reminds me of Kohli: Lyon

Sabbir Rahman is only eight Tests old, but he has been paid a grand compliment by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon after the two starred on the first day of the second Test between Bangladesh and Australia at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong.

Lyon. Australia's second-most successful spinner after the legendary Shane Warne, took five of the six wickets to fall as Bangladesh finished on 253 for six. He helped bring Bangladesh down to 117 for five, setting the stage for a 105-run sixth wicket partnership between Sabbir and Mushfiqur Rahim, which the former dominated with a stroke-filled 66. 

"He's a good player, he reminds me of Virat Kohli and that's a good role model to have in the subcontinent," Lyon said after the day's play. "That's his persona out there, the way he walks around the crease and the shots he has played. We find that he doesn't really want to defend, he wants to take the game on so that is brave cricket." 

Lyon was effusive in praise of Sabbir, who became the spinner's fifth victim when he overbalanced after trying to pull a stray one down the leg side and wicketkeeper Matthew Wade pulled off a smart stumping. The third umpire ruled that Sabbir's feet were marginally outside.

"He played some nice shots. He was lucky here and there, but you need a bit of luck in cricket. I had some luck today with the stumping, and it wasn't the best ball that I ever bowled in Test cricket," Lyon said. "At the end of the day, it's luck and you have to go out there and enjoy the game of cricket. He's a good cricketer, we're definitely paying him a lot of respect, that's for sure."