IPL 2020: Know more about RCB debutant Shahbaz Ahmed

Bengaluru, October 17: All-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed finally made his much-awaited debut for Royal Challengers Bangalore in Match 33 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 against Rajasthan Royals at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday (October 17).

Known for his accurate left-arm spin bowling, gun-fielding (as he showed with a brilliant catch to dismiss Royals skipper Steve Smith) and his ability to clear the ropes with hefty hits, the Bengal player is a multi-dimensional cricketer and the Twenty20 format suits him well.

Shahbaz was sold to RCB at his base price of Rs 20 lakh in the IPL auction as he is only the second player from Bengal, after pacer Ishan Porel, to feature in the IPL 2020 currently being held at three venues in the UAE.

Your time to shine, Shahbaz Ahmed! 🌟 #PlayBold #IPL2020 #WeAreChallengers #Dream11IPL #RRvRCB pic.twitter.com/ya5pUULFBf

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) October 17, 2020

"I'm really excited to share the dressing room with Virat Kohli. This is a lifetime opportunity for me," the Haryana-born lad had said when he was picked by RCB in the December auction.

Only two seasons ago, the Mewat-born Shahbaz came to Kolkata in pursue of cricket. He went on to make his Bengal debut in 2018-19, against Hyderabad in an away match which was his solitary outing last season. This season he got more opportunities and made a crucial 50 in their win against Kerala.

He impressed with a match-haul of six wickets that included a hat-trick and scored 49 runs in Bengal's big win against Hyderabad.

The hat-trick was Bengal's first since Mohammed Shami took one against Madhya Pradesh in 2012-13.

The 25-year-old has always said that he wants to be a 'Ravindra Jadeja proto-type' for Bengal as well as for RCB whenever his chance comes and it finally has!

Shahbaz, who hails from Haryana, is one of the two changes RCB made to the playing XI from the previous match against Kings XI Punjab which they lost.

Shahbaz replaced pacer Mohammed Siraj while Gurkeerat Singh Mann came in place of Shivam Dube as Royals skipper Smith decided to take first wicket use of the wicket after winning the toss in Dubai.