Imagine being Yasir Ali Rabbi, arriving into the crease for the third time in a one-dayer for Bangladesh, the first ODI away from home, and that too in South Africa, walking in the centre stage following batting mainstay Mushfiqur Rahim's departure, with Super League points at stake, on the backdrop of Tigers' abysmal record against the Proteas in their own backyard, and so on.

Too much pressure? Maybe for most, as proven by Yasir's many predecessors who had made the cut in the national team but only to disappear like dry leaves carried by sudden gusts of wind, swirling out of sight. However, 26-year-old Yasir had long been preparing himself to seize the day, like he did yesterday in Centurion.

"I've been with the team for so long but couldn't play matches. But I always motivated myself by saying: Yasir, you must work hard, so that you can utilise the opportunity when you get it," Yasir had said after the lad from Chattogram earned his Test cap before the Pakistan series last year.   

But all that hard work and patience and potential - still cannot prepare one to triumph over the open-ended questions that were in store at the SuperSport Park. The second ball Yasir faced, he skied it high but luckily for him, it landed in no man's land. And the sixth ball, of fast bowler Jansen, strikes him on the helmet, and must have brought the memory of his debut Test when a Shaheen Afridi bouncer knocked him out of the game. The two events alone is, more or less, enough to rattle the confidence of a newcomer.

However, luckily for Yasir, he has a certain someone named Shakib Al Hasan for company in the middle; someone like Shakib who apparently craves and thrives on pressure, like it's a part of his staple diet.

"The way Shakib Bhai has batted has made my job easier." Yasir said after Bangladesh went past the elusive 300-run score, riding on Shakib-Yasir's 115-run stand off 82 balls, that too had happened in the phase which was neither the Powerplays nor the death overs. Shakib had eased his nerves, no doubt, but the converse is arguably true as well. But what Yasir said goes a long way to cement his reputation as a team player, since an integral side of one's character is to acknowledge your mates, especially after a good day at the office.

Yasir Rabbi earns the applause from spectators after scoring his maiden ODI half-century. Photo: AFP

Yasir, also, did not shy away to credit Albie Morkel, the Tigers power-hitting coach, who advised him to 'try to hit as straight as you can' but Yasir did mention that 'it is not possible to learn so much in three days' from a coach.   

If Shakib, given the latest controversies, can live in the moment and play his natural game, why can't I do it: Yasir probably thought of it, or maybe he didn't. But certainly, Shakib's attitude of enjoying the game must've rubbed off, in sync with what his Test skipper Mominul Haque had said in an exclusive interview with The Daily Star last month: "When we can play as a team, we get success. Instead of taking responsibility, I want to tell them [junior players] to enjoy and play as a team."

And when it comes to enjoying yourself on the field, it's evident from Yasir's part when he cheekily said that he 'enjoyed the straight drive to [Lungi] Ngidi' when asked to select his favourite moment from his innings. And also, the fact that Yasir mentioned that the tips shared by legendary South African batter AB de Villiers, during his visit to their dressing room before match, had benefited them - only goes to show the prevalent sporting mentality, which enables one to appreciate someone who is identified with the opponent camp.   

The impression he gives, on the field and in interviews, makes it seem that he possesses a chunk of meteorite in his alloy. And there must be more, hidden in plain sight. Sure, Yasir's fifty was not worthy of the Player of the Match Award but it certainly was the best supporting role, given how the game unfolded.

After the historic win, the Tigers' supporters would be relieved to see a glimpse of a dependable middle order batter in the making, someone who'd be able to take the baton from Mahmudullah Riyad to be the crisis man for the Tigers in future, sooner or later.

Mominul had also said, "I think there are signals telling seniors when it is time to pack up their gear. The juniors give those signals by rising to the occasion. But only signals won't work. People will believe you only when they see results. So you have to show them. Not once, but day after day."

Yasir, perhaps, is in no hurry to see any of his seniors pack their bags anytime soon. And it's better that way. One game at a time, lad!