Rakibul wants to go far crossing all boundaries

How many people feel the impulse to excel themselves? One hundred today, two hundred tomorrow! Does anyone think this way? The champions might think this way.

Echoing this confidence, Rakibul Hasan said, "I would like to be the best spin all-rounder in Bangladesh." A counter question arises, why only Bangladesh? Why not the world's best spin all-rounder? An instant reply from the other end of the mobile phone arrives in a confident voice, "I will try my level best to be so. My idol is Shakib bhai (Shakib Al Hasan). I will endeavour to be like him in the very beginning. For this, I have to work hard. I can work a lot. I know I can do."

Left-arm spin has always been the main weapon of Bangladesh cricket. After Mohammad Rafique, Abdur Razzak and Shakib Al Hasan, very few left-arm spinners have been able to fulfil the needs of the national team at a stretch. Arafat Sunny, Elias Sunny or Mosharraf Hossain Rubel have made their spots to the national team with having vital roles in the beginning but could not contribute a lot to the last. Until the ban which Shakib Al Hasan is now facing,   Bangladesh Cricket Board was searching for a partner of Shakib with top priority. Getting no other options, the selectors decided to pick Test specialist Taijul Islam for ODIs. However, Taijul was able to show his feat after making his debut with a hat-trick and four wickets before the 2015 World Cup. He also took part in the World Cup. But, he did not get any good opportunity later.

Rakibul, who is about to touch 18th year, doesn’t want to understand the reality. He only understands, "I want to prepare myself for the national team. For this, I am ready to do everything. I want to ensure my spot in the national team. Once I get the opportunity, I will make up a plan to keep that spot fixed."

Shakib Al Hasan, now on ban, will be able to come back to the field after October 29. Sharing a strong desire to play with Shakib Al Hasan, Rakibul says, "I want to play with Shakib bhai being worn with the national team jersey. I'm sure that he can play a few years more. I want to secure my place in the national team by this time. Many of my dreams will come true if I get a chance to play with the cricketer like him in the same team.

Rakibul has bagged maximum 12 wickets for the team in the Youth World Cup (ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup). He has a record to take 5 wickets in the quarter final against the host South Africa. He got a hat trick too in that match. In order to sharpen his spin more, he likes to resort to Daniel Vettori, the spin bowling consultant of the national team.

"I was very happy to see Vettori as the coach (consultant) of the national team. I like him very much. I have heard from senior brothers that he gives excellent advice and strategic plan. I am looking forward to learning from him. It will be my great achievement if I can learn from a legend like him and apply it in my own bowling," Rakibul said.

Spin all-rounder Rakibul, who won the Youth World Cup, dreams to touch sky. He likes to go far crossing all boundaries. He not only dreams to play in the national team but also dreams to make his solid berth in the world cricket. He is very much optimistic of becoming a cricketer like Shakib Al Hasan.


Dhaka/Yeasin/AI