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Mustafizur Rahman, the left-arm pace sensation, began his cricket journey with humble beginnings. Hailing from Satkhira, approximately 300 kilometres from Dhaka, he made his way to the big leagues through sheer talent and dedication.
In 2012, Mustafizur Rahman arrived in Dhaka with a dream and a stellar performance in an Under-17 tournament in Satkhira. This performance earned him a spot in the BCB's pace foundation, where he caught the eye of coaches. This was the stepping stone in his career.
Mustafizur Rahman’s debut in First Class was for Khulna during the 2013-14 season. His initial outing with the Bangladesh Under-19 side in the 2014 World Cup showcased his potential, especially after he picked up eight wickets during the U-19 World Cup in the UAE.
Returning from a tour of the West Indies with the Bangladesh A team, Mustafizur Rahman started adding variations to his bowling arsenal. Although he initially lacked pace, he diligently worked on this aspect during the 2014-15 first-class season, resulting in an impressive haul of 26 wickets at an average of 19.08.
During this period, Mustafizur Rahman began developing his trademark left-arm off-cutter. This delivery, unique in its own right, had the extraordinary ability to deceive batsmen by behaving like a spinner while maintaining its pace to the wicketkeeper.
In 2015, Mustafizur's talents were recognized by the national selectors. He made his international debut in a one-off T20I against Pakistan. Subsequently, he was selected for the ODI series against India. This decision was vindicated as Mustafizur Rahman became only the second bowler, after Brian Vitori, to achieve the remarkable feat of taking five-wicket hauls in his first two ODIs. This contribution was pivotal in Bangladesh's historic ODI series win over India.
Mustafizur Rahman continued to impress on the international stage, notably in bilateral series against South Africa and Zimbabwe. His skills were also sought after in the IPL, where he was picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016, followed by a contract with Sussex for English domestic limited-overs cricket.
Mustafizur's true emergence on the world stage came during the World T20. He concluded the tournament with a spectacular five-wicket haul against New Zealand, showcasing his ability to bamboozle batsmen with his variety of cutters.
Mustafizur Rahman’s journey from a talented youth in Satkhira to an international cricket sensation is an inspiring tale of dedication and determination. His unique off-cutter and ability to perform under pressure have made him a valuable asset for Bangladesh in world cricket.
FAQs
How did Mustafizur Rahman initially come into the cricketing scene?
Mustafizur initially impressed in an Under-17 tournament in Satkhira, and in 2012, he joined a fast-bowling camp in Dhaka, gaining the attention of the BCB's pace foundation.
How did Mustafizur Rahman add variations to his bowling style?
After returning from a tour of the West Indies with Bangladesh A, Mustafizur started adding variations to his bowling, including the famous left-arm off-cutter.
Which domestic and international teams have Mustafizur represented?
Mustafizur Rahman has played for various teams, including Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL and Sussex in English domestic limited-overs cricket.
What are Mustafizur Rahman's career bowling statistics in different formats?
15 matches, 31 wickets, average of 36.74. ODI: 89 matches, 148 wickets, average of 24.62. T20I: 85 matches, 103 wickets, average of 22.27.
What are Mustafizur Rahman's career batting and fielding statistics?
15 matches, 66 runs, average of 4.40. ODI: 89 matches, 116 runs, average of 7.25. T20I: 85 matches, 68 runs, average of 4.53.
