Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman put up an incredible performance on his Dhaka Premier League (DPL) return amid his side’s 21-run defeat to Gazi Group Cricketers by D/L method at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Mustafizur picked three wickets in his 6.5 over spell for Shinepukur, conceding just 23 runs to mark his first match in DPL after four years. Shinepukur acquired him in DPL players draft from Category A+.
The left arm pace bowlers fitness remained an issue and Bangladesh opted not to put extra workload. Therefore the team management refrained him from fielding him in the opening Test of the three-match series against New Zealand after the three-match ODI series.
Though he appeared in the second Test he bowled only 14 overs and Bangladesh head coach Steve Rhodes insisted that he wanted his premier fast bowler to keep fresh ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup.
The pacer, popularly dubbed as ‘Cutter Master’ featured in DPL for the first time since 2015 and in between he couldn’t take part in the league due to various injuries and International commitments.
But his return was certainly noteworthy as he not only put the opposition batsmen into trouble but also made sure he can get the most out of it ahead of the World Cup since he was very keen to play the match and was seen practicing with the team at the National Academy Ground since returning from his home town Sathkhira.
The ongoing DPL is considered to be the only platform for national cricketers to have a match practice ahead of the tri-nation series in Ireland and ICC Cricket World Cup.
“I think he bowled really well,” chief selector Minhajul Abedin told the BSS today. “He certainly needed some match practice as he is not playing competitive cricket for quite some time now,” he said.
“The most impressive part is that he could execute his plans and looked to be bowling with a good rhythm,” he said.
Mustafizur made debut in DPL In 2014-15. In his debut match, playing for Abahani Limited he claimed 5-32 against Kalabagan Krira Chakra to show his mettle and in the latter part of the year he made debut for national team in that season and became an instant sensation with 5-50 that helped Bangladesh won the match against India.
He played a big part behind their success against the Indian in that series with his cutter and slower that later became trademark of his bowling. The Bangladesh pace spearhead so far has played 49 List A matches in which he snapped up 92 wicket at an average of 19.95.
