Since his entry into international cricket in 2014, Sabbir Rahman’s talent has never been in doubt. The right-hander’s cricketing ability was once again showcased during Cumilla Warriors’ Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BBPL) encounter against Khulna Tigers at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

However, Sabbir’s 39-ball 62 could only add to his woes as even after such a brilliant knock, Cumilla faltered and suffered a 34-run loss. The right-hander has only himself to blame for not being able to see his side through. The 28-year-old looked elegant and did everything right -- pacing his innings brilliantly as he smashed seven fours and two maximums at a strike rate of 158.97 while chasing a challenging 180-run target -- till he succumbed to his own temper and saw all his efforts go in vain.

Although the scoreboard shows that it was Mohammad Amir who had Sabbir caught during a crucial phase of the chase and changed the momentum of the game, it was rather Sabbir who scripted his own downfall and saw his team suffer for his it.

Moments after being involved in a verbal spat with Amir, Sabbir scooped the left-armer for a boundary through fine leg in the penultimate delivery of the 15th over. That boundary not only ensured Cumilla were on course to the target, needing 50 off 31 deliveries and six wickets in hand, but was also a good cricketing reply to what was a delivery deserving of the outcome. Sabbir, who looked quite animated and involved in frequent verbal exchanges with the bowler throughout the over, also tried to follow up his boundary with another one. But this time, he was taken at square leg by Rilee Rossouw, sparking jubilation among Khunla players.

Khulna Tigers’ Rilee Rossouw replicated his favourite footballer, Liverpool forward Sadio Mane’s celebration after taking the catch of Sabbir Rahman during their BBPL fixture in Mirpur yesterday. PHOTO: BCB

Even after throwing his wicket away, Sabbir was not done with Amir. He was still expressive and tried to exchange a stare and words with Amir before leaving the field but the smirk on Amir’s face indicated that the bowler had won the battle for his side this time.

Sabbir was recalled to the eleven after being dropped in the previous game for poor form. It could have been a strong statement if he kept his emotions in control and deliver a win. Cumilla captain Dawid Malan mentioned during the post-match conference that while it was a brilliant knock, Sabbir would be disappointed for giving up from such a good position.

“I think as batsman in general, you get in, you want to finish games or win games, that is what you judge yourself on, not just the number of runs you score, you judge yourself on the number of wins or contribution you have to winning games. I think he probably would be disappointed that he did not bat that little bit longer, but he played a hell of a knock,” said Malan.

Instead of making a strong statement upon his return, Sabbir – who has been sanctioned for off-field disciplinary breaches in the past -- provided evidence of Cumilla coach Otis Gibson’s words a day before. “I don’t know [why Sabbir is not scoring], he does well in practice. But in the middle… I think sometimes he lacks in clear thinking.”

That is an unfortunate statement about someone almost in his sixth year of international cricket.