Fizz takes three in Mumbai rout

Pace sensation Mustafizur Rahman recorded his best bowling figures of the Indian Premier League today when he finished with 3 for 16 in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s 85-run victory over Mumbai Indians at Vishakhapatnam.

The three-wicket haul took the left-armer to joint-second in the wicket-takers’ list with a total tally of 13 scalps from nine matches. He is one short of Mitchell McClenaghan, who has taken 14 wickets in 10 matches. 

The 20-year-old currently has the best bowling average, 15.61, and best economy rate, 6.15, amongs bowlers who have played at least eight matches in the tournament.

The Sunrisers Hyderabad might have depended on Mustafizur a number of times in the ongoing Indian Premier League, but today was a collective effort. Ashish Nehra, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Barinder Sran had reduced the Mumbai Indians to 49 for 6 in nine overs before Mustafizur was given the ball.

The wily left-armer sent back Hardik Pandya with his first ball with a cutter which Pandya failed to adjust himself against. Pandya attempted a slice through point, but the ball curled away to the hands of the keeper, with the umpire judging that out even though the television replays were inconclusive.

Then in the very first ball of his second over again, Fizz bowled yet another slower delivery which moved away from the batsman, getting the edge of Tim Southee on the way to the keeper.

The man from Satkhira returned got the scalp of McClenaghan in the final delivery of his third over, getting the batsman to offer a loopy catch to midwicket.

Mustafizur did not get to bowl a fourth over as David Warner gave the other bowlers their chance to mop up the tail. And they did efficiently, bundling out the hosts for just 92 runs in 16.3 overs.

Earlier, brilliant performances from Hyderabad openers, Warner and Shikhar Dhawan helped the team post 177. Dhawan scored 82 off 57 while Warner smacked 48 off 33. Yuvraj Singh also had a good time with the bat, scoring 39 off 23.