Ace Bangladesh all-rounder Sakib al Hasan received a perfect boost ahead of the second Test match against New Zealand as he returned to the top of the ICC rankings for Test all-rounders, dethroning South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis. Sakib, with 349 rating points, leads the South African by two rating points after the conclusion of the first Test matches between Bangladesh and New Zealand in Chittagong and Pakistan and South Africa in Abu Dhabi.
‘Rankings certainly work as an inspiration to do well,’ Sakib told reporters on Friday as the Tigers resumed practice after the Eid break.
‘It is nice to see myself up there and it will inspire me to do well in the next Test and contribute in a bigger way,’ said Sakib.
Sakib replaced Kallis at the top of the Test all-rounders’ rankings after striking 19 and a quickfire, unbeaten half-century besides taking two wickets against the Kiwis.
Kallis on the other hand had a below-par Test match against Pakistan, falling for five and a duck in two innings while the South African all-rounder was also unable to scalp a single wicket.
Sakib, who appeared hesitant expressing his feelings about the ICC rankings, will get the opportunity to extend his lead over Kallis at his happy hunting ground, the Sher-e-Bangla National stadium.
‘It does not have a lot of meaning and at the same time it does,’ said Sakib.
‘It is very difficult to explain the emotions but it makes me happy as it inspires me and makes it a lot easier to keep me motivated,’ said Sakib.
‘When there is a competition against a superstar there is always an inspiration to do better than them.
‘But I don’t think it would be wise to compare us as I feel that each one of them is the best in their own right.
‘Everyone tries to contribute for the team with bowling, batting and fielding so there is nothing to compare,’ said Sakib.
‘Rankings are rules that the ICC follows to determine certain issues but I don’t think that a lot of players reserve their focus on this. However, at the same time if someone sees that he is on top, it gives him a nice feeling,’ he added.
Sakib, however, had very little opportunities justifying his billing as the country’s premier all-rounder as an injury restricted him to bowl just 33 overs in two innings against the Kiwis. It constituted nearly one-third of Abdur Razzak, who bowled 87 overs and a little more than half of Sohag Gazi, who bowled 58 overs.
The team management is in favour of increasing his workload gradually after an injury-plagued season saw him miss a number of Test and one-day matches.
‘I would be happy if I could do everything that I did earlier but at the same time I must also look after my health. I am not enjoying bowling this much,’ said Sakib.
‘My bowling is all right though I did not bowl a lot after the injury. Even in Zimbabwe I did not bowl a lot of overs and still I am not sure what will happen if I bowl a certain amount of overs,’ said Sakib.
-With New Age input
