'Really calm character for someone who hasn’t played a lot' - Mike Hesson praises Shahbaz Ahmed for consistent performances

The Royal Challengers Bangalore are on a roll since the first game of the IPL 2022. They have won four out of the six games played so far, and hold their place at the third spot in the points table. One thing that has been observed in all of RCB’s games is the strength of their middle-order.

One name that pops up when someone calls out RCB’s name is that of Dinesh Karthik. He has brought sheer class and brilliance into the team with his performance and has portrayed the finisher’s role with perfection. But there is one more member in the team who has consistently contributed to the team but has been slightly side-lined from the limelight.

Shahbaz Ahmed has played a pivotal role in the team. He had walked out with the bat in four games so far and has scored 145 runs at an average of 48.33 and a strike rate of 154.26. Shahbaz has caught the attention of Mike Hesson, RCB’s director of cricket operations, and he had some words of praise for the youngster.

He looks a senior pro in terms of being able to maneuver the ball: Mike Hesson

“He’s just a calming influence. He’s only really in his first full season playing, but he’s gone out there and looks a senior pro in terms of being able to maneuver the ball, gets an early boundary away just to release the pressure, puts the field back off and then he can feed the strike to the guys hitting. We know he’s got power, so at the back end, he chooses the right time to do it. He’s a really calm character for someone who hasn’t played too many games,” Hesson was quoted by News18.

Shahbaz was also seen with the ball during the game against Delhi Capitals as he had to step up as the fifth bowler Though he conceded 15 runs off his first over, he understood the situation well and kept it under control by conceding just four runs in his second over.

“With the ball I think he was exceptional. Obviously bowling with such a short boundary, to be able to block off parts of the park, really influential performance,” said Hesson speaking about his skills with the ball.