Bangladesh batsman Sabbir buoyed by Bengaluru, Pretoria knocks

Living with the label of Bangladesh's limited-overs specialist for a long time, Sabbir Hossain is on the verge of making his bow in Test cricket.

It was difficult to imagine the 24-year-old in Test whites even a few days ago. But after he broke into the squad for the first Test against England, it has become a probability.

The Tigers coach Chandika Hathurusingha has said the team management is looking for a combination which includes Sabbir in the playing eleven.

In Twenty20s and ODIs, his batting technique has often come under scrutiny. But he shrugged off all criticism to be promoted to number three where he has been showing good potential.

The right-handed batsman, who can also bowl useful leg-breaks, has an ordinary first-class record. He played 35 matches in eight years, hit three centuries and averaged 38.71.

But the selectors paid more attention to how he has grown as a player while Hathurusingha has always been optimistic about the youngster.

Sabbir's doubts about himself, however, perished after two key knocks for Bangladesh A on their tours to India and South Africa last year.

In September 2015, he bludgeoned a splendid 122 off 131 balls against India A at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

He went out in the middle with Bangladesh A three wickets down for just two. Soon the scorecard read 6 for 4 with Soumya Sarkar, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque and Liton Kumar Das all back in the hutch.

Sabbir displayed steely nerves and blasted 23 boundaries and a six. The tourists were bowled out for 228 but he remained unbeaten.

Before the turn of a month, he cracked another superb knock - an 89-ball 75 - against the Northerns in Pretoria after finding his team reduced to 93 for 4.

The way he counterattacked, with 13 boundaries and two sixes, to respond to the crisis was once again extraordinary.

On the brink of his first Test cap, Sabbir is drawing hope from those two innings.

"The Bengaluru century came under very tough circumstances. The wicket was also very difficult. The century gave me the hope that I can play well in the longer version against quality bowling attack," Sabbir told bdnews24.com.

"Later playing well in South Africa strengthened my self-confidence."

"Everybody took me as a limited-overs specialist then. So the two innings were very good for me. I realised that I had the ability to play well at this level."

The self-assurance drove Sabbir to always play in his own style, regardless of the wicket, conditions or circumstances.

"Longer version doesn't simply mean not playing my shots. These innings helped me realise that I can play my way and be successful," Sabbir added.

"I have to be a bit careful with ball selection but apart from that there isn't much difference. The ball I am able to hit can be hit in any sort of cricket."

Sabbir's aggression and ability to play big knocks has thrilled Hathurusingha as the number of batsmen achieving success by resorting to similar tactics has risen in modern times.