Shamim Hossain credits AB de Villiers for change in batting approach

Shamim Hossain was watching his favourite South African great AB de Villiers batting on YouTube during their tour of the High Performance Unit in Australia this year. Shamim's attention was drawn to the elbow position of the legendary batter and it probably changed his life all together.

Shamim came up with a different batting approach during the T20I series against the West Indies and went on to help the tourists clinch the series due to his late resistance. It was also his comeback series.

The left-handed batter has been known for playing through the legside along with trying scoops and sweeps but hardly seemed very comfortable playing in front of the wicket.

However, it was a different sight altogether against West Indies as he adopted a higher backlift, a slight tweak to his technique.

"High backlift seems to be comfortable and that's why I opted for it as it helps me to keep my elbow straight and it was inspired from AB de Villiers," Shamim told Cricbuzz on Monday while analysing his comeback series against West Indies at the BCB Academy premises after completing his training session with Chittagong Kings ahead of their opening fixture in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League.

"I try to play shots like him (De Villiers) keeping the balance and from the last HP tour in Australia I am trying this high elbow high position.

"I watched a lot of his (De Villiers) batting on YouTube and I figured in Australia that if my elbow is straight I can hit better and for that I need a backlift."

"I don't think about that (being tagged as one dimensional batter). Yes, I was being tagged, but they were wrong. I proved I can play shots all around the wicket," he said.

Shamim added that he felt frustrated being left in wilderness but he never lost hope.

"Anyone who stays out of the team definitely feels bad. I never lost my hope. I was waiting for my opportunity to come. I did HP tours and A team tours where I did well and it boosted my confidence (ahead of the West Indies tour)," he said.

"I was waiting and was confident that I would do well if I get my chance in the national team. West Indies tour was very important for me. I'm happy that I could play my role," he said.

Shamim insisted that he had done purpose-based training during his time out from the Bangladesh squad. He added that a clear mindset allows him to play his shots from the first ball of the innings, having been given the finisher's role in T20 cricket.

"I'm a bit different from others. I try to remain the same whether it is good time or bad time for me and I trained by myself a lot and probably that's why I was successful," said Shamim. "I always have a plan in training. I can play shots all around the ground, I think. I trained a bit more on the off side when I was out of the team. That's why I got those shots under my control.

"Usually when I get to bat, I don't have much time to think a lot. My plan is to go and hit. It's not like picking specific bowlers because I may play 10-15 balls and I will have to hit them all. I have to be ready from the first ball," he said.

Shamim said that he is not losing his sleep for not batting up in the order and playing the finishers role in the modern times.

"I don't think about my batting order because the main thing is that I am a proper batter and ready to bat anywhere that is required by the team," he said. He is also leaving no stone unturned in an attempt to put up his case for selection for the Champions Trophy by performing well in the Bangladesh Premier League. It has been learnt that the national team management is also looking for a finisher in the ODI format and are keeping an eye on him for that spot.