IPL through Bangladesh's lens
We are skating on thin ice as far as our participation in the IPL goes. That is the way we feel—both in terms of representation on the circuit and inclusion in the playing 11 on given days.
Speaking of representation, only Shakib and Mustafizur Rahman were chosen from Bangladesh to play in the 11th edition of the glamorous and cash-awash Indian Premier League (IPL) out of six originally making it to the auction list. Four players from Afghanistan were picked from 10 having been put on auction. One has been taken ill leaving three Afghans playing now.
Shakib asks, "Why only two from Bangladesh in the IPL?" An answer to the question goes like this: The franchises follow the players in IPL editions, Pakistan's PCL, West Indies' CPL, Australian Big Bash, England's Big Blast and the like. But why aren't they that much interested in the cricketers' breeding ground that BPL in Bangladesh has become? There is an elitist tinge to the participation; cricketers from England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand mostly prefer playing in the IPL showing scant interest in the BPL. The exceptions are players from West Indies and Sri Lanka who join the BPL tournament in good numbers. Kumar Sangakkara spoke highly of the BPL producing a robust pool of cricketing talents.
It is common knowledge as to how our cricketers are faring in the IPL tournament. Yes, Shakib is steady with his slots and his performances. But Mustafiz has been dropped out of the last two Mumbai Indian (MI) matches without convincing enough reasons even implied.
Some of his magical flashes earlier in the series, taking his team within the striking range of a win or two, were somehow glossed over. In the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, which Mumbai Indians lost, Mustafiz had amazing bowling figures of 4 overs, 24 runs and 3 wickets! His last over drew a resounding applause for claiming two wickets conceding one run only. The break-down is interesting: Fizz gave one run in his first ball; second and third balls were dots; wicket in the fourth ball; fifth ball was a dot; and the last ball fetched another wicket. Just in one over the match swayed towards Mumbai Indians. Imagine the high drama: Hyderabad's last pair was in; it was the last over and the Sunrisers' tail-end had to score 11 runs. Mumbai Indians were almost going to celebrate when the MI bowler Ben Cutting failed to live up to the task and gave away the match.
Mustafiz delivered another feat against Delhi Daredevils, a bit short of the finishing line of what was potentially a make-or-mar last ball of a super over. In that match, his bowling figure of 4 overs, 25 runs and one wicket disguised his actual contribution; in the first three overs, he gave away only 14 runs; but the last over was to bring out the best in him.
After conceding a six and a four in the first two balls, he would bowl three dot balls in a row leaving the equation of one run to be scored in one ball for a win. If the last ball were a dot from Mustafiz, an astute death over bowler, MI would be victorious by a sheer miracle or bowling wizardry that endeared Fizz to the people of Bombay like it did to those of Hyderabad two editions back.
Although benching out of a celebrity or two is not unknown in this format, the question is what purpose was exactly served by keeping Mustafiz out of the last two matches? Yes, the Mumbai Indians won the match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) without Mustafiz, but then they did win one earlier on with Mustafiz in the team. At any rate, his replacement Ben Cutting in MI's match on April 28 gave away 14 runs in the first over itself. And, he was withdrawn from bowling for the rest of the innings.
Speaking of high number runs conceded by some top-notch bowlers—without naming or shaming them—you recall with awe 27 and 24 runs scored off one over each by two otherwise classy bowlers. You wonder, too, whether the optically oppressive run machines let loose by the IPL makes it tilt more towards the batters than the bowlers!
Then the May 1 match against Royal Challengers Bangalore played by MI sans Mustafiz was lost. So, what's the point we are trying to drive home? The IPL is only half way through, a Fizz inclusion is not just possible but also desirable. Given all the "must win" games before the Mumbai Indians, if they are to wrap up any close to the glory of two IPL championships emblazoned on their forehead, a bowler like Mustafizur Rahman may still prove to be an asset.
Since Mustafiz Rahman's appearance three years ago as a "revelation" or a surprise package in international cricket, he has been analysed and decoded. So it remains a test for him to counter-read the batsmen and strike at their weaknesses. Along with mastering variety and guile, he needs to increase his pace to a standard 140km plus.
A seasoned expert views his prospect like this: He is only in his early twenties; he will be strongly built in his mid-twenties to take on greater challenges going forward. Through sustained physical, mental and cricketing training sessions and testing his skills against classy teams, he could be an asset for the national cricket team for almost a decade.
One gets to hear about an array of fast bowlers and batters with five-seven wicket hauls every now and then and several centuries to their credit in first class matches here. We know that some corporate houses are investing in the future of cricket on a modest scale. The more the merrier with the government's supportive role thrown in.
Shah Husain Imam is adjunct faculty at East West University, a commentator on current affairs and former Associate Editor, The Daily Star.
Email: shahhusainimam@gmail.com
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