Sabbir Rahman’s promotion to number three in the Bangladesh batting order could prove to be a move in the right direction for the Tigers who are looking to increase their capacity in the shortest format.
The right-hander is somewhat labelled as a finisher for the Bangladesh side and bats usually after number five in the ODIs. However, two entertaining innings in the dying stages of the Bangladesh Premier League last month have certainly prompted Mashrafe bin Mortaza to send him up the order.
He had a very sour experience in BPL 3 and playing for eventual runners-up Barisal Bulls, Sabbir scored just 189 runs from 13 matches. The poor run though, thankfully ended with him promoted to No 3 as he made 79 and 41 to win the matches for Barisal in the Eliminator and the Qualifier.
Sabbir, on Friday, made a valuable 46 off 36 balls and kept the Tigers on course chasing a tricky 166. He usually eats up a few balls up front but also takes little time to settle and keeps the run-flow active.
Before the series, Sabbir batted at No 3 on three occasions and scored only 21 (v Nepal), two (v Hong Kong) and 18 (v Zimbabwe). The Tigers do not have a settled No 3 batsman like many nations.
With the Bangladesh think-tank desperate to find the right combination for the T20s, placing the 24-year-old high up the bating order might give the right balance with the likes of Mahmudullah, Shakib al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Nurul Hasan to follow him.
