ZCZC
BSP-12
CRICKET-RAHI-TEST
Rahi shuns glamour of ODI, T20 to solely focus on Test cricket
DHAKA, May 21, 2020 (BSS)-When most of the cricketers chase instant name
and fame by doing well in ODI or T20 cricket, Abu Jayed Rahi is the one who
worships Test cricket and wants to establish him in this format first before
taking other format of cricket seriously.
The pace bowler Rahi, considered as the ‘James Anderson’ of Bangladesh
because of his ability to swing the ball in both ways, had already
established him as the prime Test bowler in the country where spinners always
dominate.
“I am now solely focusing on to the Test cricket. ODI or T20 is not in my
mind at this moment,” Rahi told the BSS today.
“I want to establish myself firmly in Test cricket first and then gradually
I will focus on ODI and T20 cricket. I believe if I can do well in Test
cricket consistently, it will be easier for me to do well in shorter version
of cricket.”
Even though he shot into the limelight through Bangladesh Premier League
(BPL), his clever bowling and variation quickly made him the first choice
bowler at least in longer version format at a time when the team management
is desperately seeking a fast bowler for Test cricket.
Rahi’s arrival was like a fresh breath of air. He was the reason that
Bangladesh had recently changed their home Test strategy for pace-centric
from spin-oriented.
Till now he played nine Test matches in which he claimed 24 wickets. Even
though there is no five-wicket haul to show as of now, his consistency and
bowling wile gave the assurance that it was not far away.
The dream to haul a five-for could well be materialized had Covid-19
pandemic not gripped the whole world and left cricket standstill.
Bangladesh was set to play a good number of Test cricket in this year,
which only was halted by the outbreak of coronavirus. It is particularly
disappointing for Rahi because he sets the eye to improve his bowling average
also, which is now 32.45.
For a Bangladeshi fast bowler, the average is good enough but Rahi
certainly isn’t satisfied as he is eying to go long way.
‘It is really disappointing. This year we were due to play a good number of
Test matches but the current situation halted us. I don’t know what happened
in the post pandemic world but I hope, I will come up with same performance,”
Rahi added.
The fast bowler, hailed from Sylhet, was the only shining light in
Bangladesh’s otherwise disappointing Test outing in New Zealand, Pakistan and
India in the last two years.
When the other bowlers were taken in disdain, he was the one, who swung the
ball nicely to keep batsmen at bay. Even at home condition, which is not
conducive for the fast bowlers, he kept bowling well.
Therefore, he became the first Bangladeshi pacer in recent past to play
five Tests in a row.
Credit should go for him. It was shocking to see a fast bowler beating the
bat regularly in a home Test for Bangladesh but Rahi made the batsman play
around the off stump, got his outswing to work subtly.
He is not quick enough but he like Anderson becomes a proper Test bowler,
for his dedication level.
“Even my head coach Russell Domingo said, I am like Anderson and I had
already heard many times that it will be better, if I was born in England,”
he said.
He also showed his gratitude towards pace bowling coach Ottis Gibson for
not changing his bowling style.
“He is the one who gave me the freedom. Just he once told me to reduce the
number of inswing deliveries but otherwise, what I wanted to do, he gave me
the full support and sometimes fix the problems. That’s it.”
However Rahi dreams to play in England in duke ball, which he thinks, would
suit his bowling strength.
“I am really craving for playing in English condition with duke ball,
which, I think will give me the more freedom to display my swing bowling,” he
concluded.
BSS/SMP/SB/17:15 hrs