DHAKA, July 6, 2019 (BSS)- Pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman thrived in impeccable way in what was his first World Cup as he claimed 20 wickets, the most for Bangladesh bowler in a single edition of the tournament.
He eclipsed Abdur Razzak’s haul of 13 wickets in 2007 and also grabbed consecutive five-for against India and Pakistan as the first Bangladeshi bowler in the cricket’s biggest event.
His performance spoke a volume of talent and Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza didn’t shy away to describe the young prodigy as the gem of country’s cricket.
He said Mustafizur, the Fizz as he is adorably called, has bright future ahead.
“At the beginning of his career Mustafiz was unplayable to play. He has been struggling with the injury for two years. But he has been doing well since the Ireland series and he is a gem of Bangladesh cricket,” Mashrafe said.
Mustafiz was exceptional at the beginning of his career. He created a abuzz with a sensational debut against India in 2015 that saw him take five-for and six-for in his first two ODIs to demolish India’s much-vaunted batting line up and scripted Bangladesh’s landmark bilateral series victory over mighty neighbours.
In the first year of his international career [2015], Mustafiz played nine ODI’s and picked up 26 wickets with an economy of 4.26, baffling batsman around the world with his mysterious cutters and slower.
Mustafiz was rated very high at the beginning of his career but his charismatic performance faded away over the years because of injury and the fact that the opponents decoded his bowling well.
The 2016 was a dark chapter for Mustafizur. He suffered from a back injury and got injured playing in the County T20 league for Sussex. He has undergone surgery because of that injury and subsequently ruled out of game for six months because of that.
He came back in 2016 Ireland series. He played just two ODI’s. After that, Mustafizur went out of radar. He was out of sorts because of this serious injury.
Mustafizur injured himself once again in 2017 while playing football. He struggled again in 2017 and picked up 14 wickets in 11 matches.
In 2018, he returned in some sort of form. Playing 18 ODI’s Mustafizur picked up 29 wickets with an economy of 4.20. But, he again sustained leg injury at Dhaka Premier league (DPL) playing for Shinepukur Cricket Club.
He was given rest for some time. He made his comeback once again with the Ireland tri-series. Mustafizur performed comparatively well, taking six wickets in the series.
In the World Cup he took 20 wickets from eight games but he was expensive, largely down to the fact that he struggled with new ball. All of the wickets came after 30th overs and he got 14 wickets when he bowled at the death over (after 40 overs). That was the only weak link in his bowling in this World Cup that he didn’t do well with new ball or middle overs for which Bangladesh actually suffered much.
However he also made a new record in this World Cup by becoming the fourth fastest player to claim 100 wickets in just 54 matches. Fizz also entered into Lords honors board list as he picked up five wickets against Pakistan in cricket’s most hallowed ground.