'Last chance for Sabbir Rahman'
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan has issued a warning to batsman Sabbir Rahman, promising dire consequences if there is even one more disciplinary issue concerning the batsman.
The BCB boss made the statement while speaking to reporters at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram yesterday after Sabbir's inclusion in the Bangladesh squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series in New Zealand caused controversy.
The right-hander was included in the side a month before completing his six month ban from international cricket.
“After Sabbir was banned, I received a lot of requests to include him in the team but normally we don't allow such things. But at times when the player realises his mistakes and shows some changes in his behaviour, then on that basis requests continue to come. Obviously this is his last chance. It's not important that he was recalled 15-20 days before his ban finished and if he does something again he will be banned for life.
“I think it would have been good for Sabbir if he had taken some more time and thought deeply before making a comeback as it is very risky for him now. Even a small mistake now can finish his career,” Nazmul said.
Asked how they could include a cricketer who is yet to finish a ban, Nazmul informed that he thought Sabbir's ban would be finished before he approved the final squad.
“I am not interfering at all as they [the selectors] are doing everything and regarding Sabbir's inclusion, I feel that it was because of the demand from the coach and captain to include him,” he said. “Mainly, they wanted him for the World Cup and said that if he is able to perform, then he has a chance. Other than that I don't see any reason to include him 15-20 days before his suspension ends. Definitely performance is also a big reason as he scored 85 runs in a BPL game which may have encouraged them.”
