Rabeya’s leg-spin and big-hitting could be Bangladesh’s X factor
Her big-hitting abilities could come in handy in the shortest format of the game as quick runs are a boon and it’s an area Bangladesh has traditionally struggled with.
At just 19, Rabeya Khan has emerged as a key player in Bangladesh's women's white-ball squad, with her leg-spin and all-round abilities making her a crucial asset.
Her rise to prominence has not gone unnoticed, earning praise from both captain Nigar Sultana Joty and head coach Hashan Tillakaratne. As the team readies itself for the 2024 T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, Rabeya shared her reflections.
"No, I didn't expect this at all. I was a bit surprised when it happened," Rabeya told The Business Standard about how she was surprised over her selection for the World Cup.
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Rabeya spoke about the work she put in for this place in the World Cup squad and how it paid off: "I worked really hard for this. I used to go to practice in the morning and would return home around 3-4 pm. I worked a lot." That, along with her performances and experience gained from playing in the Bangladesh 'A' versus Sri Lanka 'A' series proved vital as the Tigresses won the series.
Rabeya comes from a very humble background and the sacrifices her family made to support her ambitions, particularly the role her father played in helping her achieve her goals, have been well documented. Her father is a farmer and her three maternal uncles have also helped her financially as much as possible for her to chase this dream, despite the many social and economic obstacles.
Her big-hitting abilities could come in handy in the shortest format of the game as quick runs are a boon and it's an area Bangladesh has traditionally struggled with. The pitches in Sharjah are also expected to aid the spinners and that could play into the hands of Bangladesh, who boast a strong spin unit. "I'm mainly a batter. I will try to focus on batting well. I also want to do well in fielding. I'll try to rotate the strike while playing," she explained.
Looking forward to the World Cup, Bangladesh have set lofty goals for themselves. They were supposed to host the tournament before the recent political upheaval led to the World Cup being shifted to the UAE. The team has never won a game in the T20 World Cup but they want to go very far this time and one feels Rabeya's batting and bowling will play a big part if that is to happen. "As a team, we want to play in the semi-finals. Personally, I will try to give my best," she concluded.
Bangladesh is set to kick off their World Cup campaign on 3 October, against Scotland in Sharjah, followed by group-stage clashes with England, South Africa, and the West Indies.
