'Hope I can win matches for India' - Shahbaz Ahmed after receiving maiden call-up for Zimbabwe tour

Shahbaz Ahmed has been named the replacement for injured Washington Sundar for the upcoming Zimbabwe tour and the youngster opened up about getting his maiden call-up to the Indian side. The 27-year-old plays for Bengal in domestic matches, and he has an average of 47.3 in List-A cricket with two centuries and as many half-centuries so far. He can be quite effective in turning conditions and is more than handy with the ball.

Apart from his domestic numbers, Shahbaz was impressive for RCB in IPL 2022 with 219 runs in 11 innings at an average of 27.38. He played a lot of crucial knocks in the middle-order when the team needed him the most and picked up four wickets with the ball.

Being called up for the Indian team is a dream come true: Shahbaz Ahmed

Shahbaz mentioned about every cricketer aspiring to play for India from a young age and also felt that it is a dream come true moment for him. The all-rounder noted that he has never been shy of giving his all while playing for Bengal and hopes to win games for India with his all-around abilities. He revealed the different people who have helped him grow heaps and bounds and paid gratitude to his coach, and others for believing in him.

“Everybody who plays cricket wants to wear the India colours. Being called up for the Indian team is a dream come true. Whenever I have played for Bengal, I have given my all. Bengal team believed in me. Given a chance, I hope I can win matches for India with my batting and bowling. I hope the team can bank on me,” Shahbaz said in a statement from the Cricket Association of Bengal.

“The association especially the office bearers have always had faith in me. My coaches and my co-players on the team all have contributed greatly to me reaching this point. I am indebted to them,” he added.