Fizz hoping to play

When Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad take the field at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore today in the quest for a first Indian Premier League (IPL) title, millions of fans in Bangladesh will pray that the magical Mustafizur Rahman will retain his fitness and finish this season's cash-rich T20 tournament with a flourish.

The beloved 20-year-old cricketer, who is affectionately called Fizz in cricketing circles, however provided encouraging news to his legion of fans.

“I'm now feeling well. I am hopeful that I will be available for the final,” Mustafizur told The Daily Star over phone before leaving Delhi for Bangalore yesterday.

Sunrisers won the Qualifier II against Gujarat Lions, but they sorely missed the controlled bowling at the death from the left-arm pacer, who missed out on the crucial game due to a slight hamstring injury.

Bangladesh national team physio Bayjedul Islam Khan, who has been in constant touch with Hyderabad physio Theo Kapakoulakis, was also hopeful of Mustafizur's participation in tonight's final.

“I talked with Mustafizur today and he informed me that he was feeling much better and was eagerly waiting to play the final. He passed the fitness test before the qualifier, but as he told the team management that he felt tightness in his right hamstring, they didn't take any risks,” said Bayjedul.

“Everything will depend on Mustafizur tomorrow but one thing that we want to ensure is that there is no scope of even the slightest risk. With this kind of injury, one may take a chance, but thankfully Sunrisers didn't want to take any chances. Sunrisers physio and the player himself remain positive, now let's see what happens at the last moment,” he added.

The wonder boy from Satkhira has so far bagged 16 wickets in 15 matches but one cannot judge by this statistic alone how much of an impact he has made in his maiden appearance in the tournament.

Mustafizur has been enjoying his stint with the Sunrisers, although he doesn't like travelling too much and he was desperately looking forward to returning home.

“If you are homesick then mental fatigue will be an issue and that can hamper you physically. I would like to see him spend two weeks in his village after returning from the IPL,” said Bayjedul.