Want to play Jadeja's role for Bengal and RCB, says 'Hattrick Man' Shahbaz Ahmed

Accurate left-arm spin bowling, gun-fielding and clearing ropes with hefty hits, Bengal all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed wants to be a 'Ravindra Jadeja proto-type' for Bengal and for Royal Challengers Bangalore where skipper Virat Kohli might take interest in his skill-sets. With a match-haul of six wickets and 49 runs in Bengal's big win against Hyderabad, Shahbaz is w ready to shed "outsider tag" having come from Haryana. "I really love way Ravindra Jadeja plays for India. I just like to play like him in Bengal," Ahmed, who will share dressing room with Indian captain Virat Kohli at Royal Challengers Bangalore in upcoming IPL-2020, told PTI.

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'Want to play Jadeja's role'

Shahbaz was sold to RCB at his base price of Rs 20 lakh in IPL auction as he is only second player from Bengal, after pacer Ishan Porel, to feature in 2020's edition. "I'm really excited to share dressing room with Virat Kohli. This is a lifetime opportunity for me. If I get an opportunity to play in IPL, I would just like to replicate same re -- contribute with bat and ball. It would help a lot in my career. But at moment I'm focusing only on Ranji matches." Batting at Number eight, Shahbaz slammed missed his second halfcentury from seven matches by just one run after a suicidal ruut, but he stood in a century-plus partnership with Tiwary.

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Only two seasons ago, Haryana-born Shahabaz, who had come to Kolkata in pursue of cricket, was termed an outsider and was suspended for a match for Tapan Memorial, till Cricket Association of Bengal conducted an investigation. He went on to make his debut in 2018-19, against Hyderabad in an away match which was his solitary outing last season. This season he played five matches for Bengal and contributed with a 50 in ir win against Kerala.

"This is my second season. I've been playing here for last five years. I stay here, it's my home w. I was a bit disturbed but thankfully matter was quickly resolved.

"It's all past w. I've got full support of my team and coaches. I'm thankful to VVS Laxman and Arun Lal Sirs for backing me," he said dedicating his hattrick as he returned with 4/26 with match haul of six wickets.

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First, he cleaned up Hyderabad's top-scorer Jaweed Ali (72) before wrapping up Hyderabad first innings dismissing Ravi Kiran, Kolla Sumanth en route to claim Bengal's first hattrick since Mohammed Shami took against Madhya Pradesh in 2012-13. "I never planned for hattrick. I just wanted to bowl in right areas and repeat same ball. I was lucky to get hattrick. It came after a long time for Bengal," Shahbaz said. He also thanked Bengal spin bowling consultant Utpal Chatterjee who took charge for this match after bowling coach Ranadeb Bose was shunted out. " wicket was t turning much. But Sir gave a lot of confidence in changing room. atmosphere has changed since he has come. We get a lot of confidence w. He gives good ideas. he has got a lot of experience."

On his journey Mewat-born lad said: "I never played serious cricket in Haryana but only few matches in Gurgaon. But only after coming to Bengal, I got chance to play for BCCI. My coach re was Mansoor Ali." Shahbaz said he loves batting but w after playing longer versions his bowling has improved. "I always loved batting. I was t bowling that well earlier it was only after playing three days cricket my bowling has improved. This performance will boost my confidence and also will help in team combination being a bowling all-rounder," he signed off. 

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