Bangladesh pacer Abu Jayed Rahi is feeling ecstatic after his match-winning performance in the second ODI of his career, against Ireland at Clontarf Cricket Club, but admitted that he still has a long way to go.
Jayed finished the match with a five-for, including four crucial wickets in the slog overs.
The debut match was not impressive for him as he remained wicketless and conceded 50-odd runs.
But he shone brightly in the second match and rose to the occasion.
“I felt some pressure on debut. That’s natural. But captain Mashrafe [bin Mortaza] bhai said to me to bowl freely and with freedom, just the way I bowled in the Dhaka Premier League. That gave me confidence,” said Jayed after the match at the Clontarf ground in Dublin Wednesday.
The inclusion of paceman Abu Jayed Rahi in @BCBtigers' 15-man @cricketworldcup squad raised some eyebrows, but a five-wicket haul in just his second ODI may justify his addition for the gala event.https://t.co/lw4oC5PFOF#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #CRICKET #BANGLADESHCRICKET #RAHI
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) May 15, 2019
There were some speculation in the media that Taskin Ahmed will be selected for the World Cup in place of Jayed.
He informed that such speculation was difficult for him but later he decided to focus in his own game.
“At first, I felt bad slightly. But later I focused on my games. My teammates also gave me support and suggested me to concentrate on my game rather than speculation,” said Jayed.
“Initially my target was to pick at least one wicket in the match. I was not able to take wickets in the first game. So my target was to open my account in this match. I am happy that I have finished the game with five wickets. It will give me confidence in the future. But I believe I have a long way to go,” he added.
His five-wicket haul will give plenty of headache to the selectors as Mustafizur Rahman will play the final against the West Indies Friday.
It was an ODI debut for Abu Jayed as the pacer became the 131st player to play one-day international for @BCBtigers.https://t.co/8trkRMfkUf#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #BANGLADESH #CRICKET #BANGLADESHCRICKET #ABUJAYED #ABU #JAYED #RAHI #ABUJAYEDRAHI #ABURAHI #JAYEDRAHI
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) May 15, 2019
In that case, either Jayed or Rubel Hossain will be picked.
Jayed is considering this dilemma as a good sign for the team, and said whatever is best for the team will be accepted by everyone.
“It depends on team management as to who will play the final. We are professional players. Whatever the best combination for the team, as a player we will accept it. It’s a great chance for us to win the tri-series. It will give us a lot of confidence, particularly ahead of the World Cup,” Jayed concluded.
MATCH 6
IRELAND INNINGS R B
Stirling c Liton b Jayed 130 141
McCollum c Liton b Rubel 5 10
Balbirnie c Mushfiq b Jayed 20 20
Porterfield c Liton b Jayed 94 106
O'Brien c Tamim b Jayed 3 4
Adair hit wicket b Saifuddin 11 7
Wilson c Shakib b Jayed 12 6
Dockrell b Saifuddin 4 5
McCarthy not out 1 1
Extras (lb 6, w 6) 12
Total (50 Overs) 292/8
Fall Of Wickets
1-23 (McCollum), 2-59 (Balbirnie), 3-233 (Porterfield), 4-263 (O'Brien), 5-264 (Stirling), 6-287 (Wilson), 7-291 (Adair), 8-292 (Dockrell)
Bowling
Jayed 9-0-58-5, Rubel 7-2-41-1, Saifuddin 9-0-43-2, Mosaddek 8-0-32-0, Shakib 9-0-65-0, Mashrafe 8-0-47-0
BANGLADESH INNINGS R B
Tamim b Rankin 57 53
Liton b McCarthy 76 67
Shakib retired hurt 50 51
Mushfiq c Wilson b Rankin 35 33
Mahmudullah not out 35 29
Mosaddek c Wilson b Adair 14 17
Sabbir not out 7 8
Extras (lb 9, w 11) 20
Total (43 Overs) 294/4
Fall Of Wickets
1-117 (Tamim), 2-160 (Liton), 3-224 (Mushfiq), 4-278 (Mosaddek)
Bowling
Adair 10-0-52-1, McCarthy 10-0-61-1, Little 8-0-67-0, Rankin 7-0-48-2, Dockrell 8-0-57-0
Bangladesh won by six wickets
MoM: Abu Jayed
