Shamim shows his niche as white-ball finisher

Bangladesh batter Shamim Hossain marked his return to the T20I fold with consecutive cameo knocks, paving the way for his team's maiden bilateral T20I series win in the West Indies.

A T20 specialist of sorts, Shamim's blistering 35 off just 17 deliveries gave Bangladesh crucial momentum in the second T20I in St Kitts yesterday, earning him the Player of the Match award.

The left-hander said he always had the confidence to play his game, and his stroke-play came to the Tigers' aid again, following a 13-ball 27 in a seven-run win in the series opener. However, a poor run of scores in the 2023 Asia Cup, played in the ODI format, had sealed Shamim's fate as he was dropped from the ODI World Cup squad.

Although he had played crucial knocks against Afghanistan in July last year, by the T20 World Cup, Shamim's fitness scores were in the red zone, leading to his exclusion from the event the following year.

However, during his absence from the national team, his strike rate became his standout feature. He found his niche as a lower-middle-order enforcer -- a role he relishes and one that is increasingly important in Bangladesh's T20I context.

"I'm so very happy. After a long time, I am back in the national team, and I'm happy. My role is a finisher in the team, and my role is to hit the ball. In the last few months, I have worked hard," Shamim said during the post-match ceremony yesterday.

"I didn't think a lot about being dropped. I go about my life with a positive mindset, and I like being happy. I knew that at any time I would make a comeback, and that was the confidence I had," he added.

His relaxed demeanour complements the risks he takes late in the innings. He demonstrated his ability to handle pressure during the final of this year's Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), where his unbeaten 59 off just 24 deliveries gave Rangpur Riders a fighting chance.

Shamim scored at a strike rate of 140 during the BPL. In this year's Dhaka Premier League, he smashed a whirlwind 86 off 43 for Legends of Rupganj against Partex Sporting Club, finishing the tournament with a strike rate above 113.

Shamim also impressed at the Emerging Asia Cup, where he struck 61 runs at an average of 61 and a strike rate above 138. When David Moore organised Bangladesh HP's tour of Australia for the Top End T20 tournament, Shamim, already armed with national team experience, delivered steady 40-plus scores, maintaining his rhythm and confidence.

When he moved across his stumps yesterday to Obed McCoy and found the ropes at the Arnos Vale Stadium, Shamim displayed his inventiveness. His fast hands allow him to clear the ropes with both finesse and power when needed.

"I always think that, whatever situation the team is in, if I play well, we'll reach a decent total. I played well in HP, the emerging team, and wherever I have played recently, I gained the confidence that, given an opportunity, I would do well," he said.

"This is just the beginning. I have a long way to go; there is a long way left in my career," Shamim added, as the Tigers will be hoping for more daring finishes from their enforcer at the death.