.svg){kind=small}
Mustafizur Rahman is a left-arm medium-fast bowler from Bangladesh who has made a name for himself in international cricket with his unique wicket-taking abilities. Known for his deceptive bowling variations, he has become a tough opponent for many of the world's strongest batsmen. Nicknamed "The Fizz", Mustafizur is one of the brightest stars in Bangladeshi cricket and has already achieved many notable accomplishments early on in his career.
Born on September 6, 1995, in Satkhira, Khulna, Bangladesh, Mustafizur was the youngest of six children in his family. His father was an avid cricket enthusiast who introduced him to the sport at an early age. He started playing regularly and practising every morning with his brother.
Despite facing financial hardships, Mustafizur continued to play cricket throughout his childhood and teenage years. He was first spotted by scouts from Satkhira and selected to play in Under-17 tournaments where he showcased impressive performances. Eventually, he joined the Bangladesh Cricket Board's pace foundation where he honed his skills further.
Mustafizur made his first-class debut for Khulna during the 2013-14 season and soon proved himself as a promising young cricketer with consistent performances throughout domestic tournaments. In 2014, he was selected for the Bangladesh U-19 squad for the World Cup where he took eight wickets, showcasing his potential on a global stage.
In April 2015, Mustafizur made his T20 international debut against Pakistan where he immediately caught everyone's attention with five wickets to his name. His ODI debut came soon after against India where he picked up two five-wicket hauls in his first two matches, becoming only the second bowler in ODI history to do so. In his third ODI, he took two wickets and created a record of 13 wickets in a three-match ODI series.
Mustafizur's Test debut came against South Africa in July 2015 where he became the first player to win the 'Man of the Match' award on both Test and ODI debuts. He has since become an integral part of Bangladesh's bowling attack across all formats.
Mustafizur's unique bowling style sets him apart from other bowlers in international cricket. With his ability to bowl off-cutters and slower deliveries with precision, he often confuses even the most experienced batsmen. His variations have proved particularly effective in limited-overs cricket, where he has recorded some impressive figures.
In T20 Internationals, Mustafizur has taken 59 wickets in just 44 matches at an average of 19.33, while his ODI career boasts 118 wickets at an average of 24.54. He was named one of the fastest bowlers to reach 50 ODI wickets by ESPNcricinfo.
Mustafizur made a name for himself in the Indian Premier League (IPL) when he played for Sunrisers Hyderabad during their successful campaign in 2016. He won the Emerging Player Award that year and helped the team lift their maiden IPL title. He later played for Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, and Delhi Capitals.
Mustafizur Rahman has a decorated history in ICC tournaments, particularly the World Cup, Champions Trophy, and World T20. He made his name on the international stage by taking two five-wicket hauls in his first two ODI matches, against India back in 2015.
In the 2016 World T20 held in India, Mustafizur played a crucial role for Bangladesh as they reached the Super 10 stage for only the second time. He finished the tournament as Bangladesh's leading wicket-taker with nine scalps at an impressive economy rate of just over six runs per over. He was named Emerging Player of the Tournament for his performances.
Mustafizur also played an instrumental role for Bangladesh in the 2019 Cricket World Cup held in England and Wales. He picked up 20 wickets at an average of just over 24, finishing as Bangladesh's highest wicket-taker in that tournament.
Apart from ICC tournaments, Mustafizur has also performed well in other major tournaments around the world. In IPL 2016 during his debut season with Sunrisers Hyderabad, he played a crucial role in helping them win their maiden title. Throughout that campaign, he took 17 wickets at an economy rate of just over seven runs per over.
During his stint with Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals, he continued to establish himself as one of the most threatening bowlers in the IPL. In recent years he has been playing for Delhi Capitals where he plays a key role alongside other Indian pacers like Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav.
Mustafizur Rahman is renowned for being a left-arm fast-medium bowler with a unique repertoire of deliveries. He is known to be a very intelligent and versatile bowler who can adapt his game to suit the conditions.
Mustafizur's primary role in the team is as a strike bowler who can take wickets in crucial situations. He has proved this not only at the international level but also in various franchise leagues around the world.
One of Mustafizur's most recognizable skills is his ability to deliver deceptive slower balls, which often confound batsmen. He has also developed a left-armer's off-cutter that he delivers like a spinner, making him even more difficult to read.
Off the field, Mustafizur Rahman is known for being a humble and down-to-earth individual. He rarely gets carried away by his successes on the field and remains grounded despite earning worldwide recognition as one of Bangladesh's best cricketers.
While Mustafizur has experienced his fair share of injuries during his career, he has been able to bounce back from them each time. His resilience and ability to overcome adversity are qualities that have endeared him to fans around the world.
Mustafizur Rahman has had a significant impact on the game of cricket, especially in Bangladesh. His unique bowling style and impressive performances have made him one of the most successful cricketers in his country. Since his debut in 2015, he has become an inspiration for young cricketers who aspire to make it big in the sport.
One of his most extraordinary records is taking two five-wicket hauls in his first two ODI matches, which no other bowler has achieved before or since. He also became the first player to win the 'Man of the Match' award on both Test and ODI debuts. Additionally, he holds the record for being the first Bangladeshi bowler to take five wickets in a T20 World Cup match.
Mustafizur Rahman has received numerous accolades for his performances on-field, including being named as one of ESPNcricinfo's 'ODI XI of the year 2015'. Additionally, he was awarded 'Emerging Player' at both the 2016 T20 World Cup and IPL (2016; Sunrisers Hyderabad). The International Cricket Council (ICC) also named him in their World ODI XI for 2015.
During his time playing for Khulna Division, he was also declared 'Best Bowler' at Bangladesh's National Cricket League (NCL) tournament held during the 2014-15 season.
Mustafizur Rahman is a left-arm fast-medium bowler that has made a significant impact on the game of cricket, especially in Bangladesh. He is known for his unique playing style and variations, including slower deliveries and cutters. His fans have given him the nickname 'The Fizz,' which he enjoys.
Since his debut in 2015, Mustafizur has been one of the most successful cricketers in his country. He has achieved several milestones in his career, including being named among ESPNcricinfo's ODI XI of the year 2015 and winning 'Emerging Player' awards at both the T20 World Cup and IPL (2016; Sunrisers Hyderabad). His contribution to cricket coaching clinics has also been widely recognised.
Q1. What is Mustafizur Rahman's highest score in international cricket?
Ans: Mustafizur Rahman is a fast-medium bowler and does not bat regularly for Bangladesh. As such, he does not have a high score in international cricket.
Q2. How has Mustafizur Rahman performed in T20 cricket?
Ans: Mustafizur has been a consistent performer in T20 cricket, both at the international level and in various domestic T20 leagues. He has been a key player for the Bangladesh national team and has also been sought after by franchises in leagues such as the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Big Bash League (BBL).
Q3. What are some of Mustafizur Rahman's weaknesses?
Ans: Despite having an impressive repertoire of skills as a fast bowler, Mustafizur Rahman has struggled with injuries throughout his career. Additionally, he can struggle with consistency at times on-field.
Q4. Has Mustafizur Rahman ever won a Player of the Series award?
Ans: Yes, Mustafizur Rahman has won the Player of the Series award on several occasions in both ODI and T20 matches.
Q5. What is Mustafizur Rahman's bowling average in Test cricket?
Ans: Mustafizur Rahman has taken 28 wickets in Test cricket at an average of 23.82 as of May 2021.
