Full Name: Abu Jayed Chowdhury Rahi Date of Birth: August 2, 1993 Birthplace: Sylhet, Bangladesh Role: Right-Arm Medium-Fast Bowler Wearing jersey number 40, Abu Jayed Rahi stands as a refreshing anomaly in Bangladesh cricket—a seamer who thrives on swing rather than raw pace. While Bangladesh's bowling identity has largely revolved around spin, Rahi carved a niche for himself with subtle seam movement, crafty swing, and an unyielding work ethic. Born in the scenic northeastern city of Sylhet, Rahi grew up away from the spotlight of Dhaka’s intense cricketing ecosystem. But even in the quieter streets of Sylhet, his passion for the game burned bright. As a boy, he idolized classical swing bowlers, often mimicking their action and wrist position in practice. From his early teens, it was clear that Rahi wasn’t just another fast bowler—he was a technician of seam. His domestic performances, especially in first-class cricket for Sylhet Division, were marked by accuracy, stamina, and a natural ability to move the ball both ways. His consistent performances caught the attention of national selectors, and he earned a Test debut against the West Indies in 2018. Rahi’s Test career began modestly, but it quickly gathered momentum. He showcased his mastery with the new ball, especially in conditions offering even a hint of movement. In a series against New Zealand in 2019, Rahi claimed a five-wicket haul in Wellington, making a statement in foreign conditions—an area where Bangladesh bowlers have often struggled. What makes Abu Jayed special is his control. He doesn’t rely on extreme pace, but rather on a beautiful upright seam, a consistent channel just outside off-stump, and late movement that troubles even the best. His approach is reminiscent of classic English seamers, and he often gets compared to the likes of Tim Southee for his discipline and elegance. In ODIs, he made a surprise but effective inclusion in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup squad. Though he wasn’t initially a frontrunner, Rahi impressed with his ability to take early wickets. He dismissed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the warm-up match against India, and later took key wickets during the main tournament, showing that he could shine even on flat pitches in England. Despite not being a regular in T20Is due to his traditional style of bowling, Rahi has always remained committed and focused, delivering for Bangladesh whenever called upon. Off the field, he's soft-spoken and introverted, often letting his bowling do all the talking. Injuries and team combinations have limited his appearances in recent years, but whenever the red ball is handed to him, he continues to prove that there is still room for classical swing in the age of brute force and express pace. With jersey number 40, Abu Jayed Rahi is a reminder of cricket’s subtleties—the art of swing, seam, and skill. For Bangladesh, he remains a valuable weapon in the longer format, and a role model for young bowlers who aim to succeed not just with power, but with precision.