'Double delight' for Mustafizur
Yesterday came as a double delight to Bangladesh pace sensation Mustafizur Rahman as the left-arm seamer was named ICC's Emerging Cricketer of the Year and also made a confident return to the competitive circuit after a five-month break.
“It's a double delight for me as I got the award and also bowled comfortably in my first competitive match after returning from my shoulder injury.
“I had no complaints during bowling and I could generate pace. I am happy with the way I bowled in the practice match,” Mustafizur told The Daily Star over the phone after taking two wickets at Whangarei in the tour match against New Zealand XI.
“This award is the best gift of the year for me and will encourage me to do even better in the coming years. I'm delighted and proud to win this award, especially since it's the first time that a Bangladesh player has won an ICC award.
“To play international cricket is a dream for every budding cricketer and it has been a dream come true for me. I want to thank everyone who has supported me over the years and I promise to give my best at every opportunity,” was Mustafizur's reaction to the ICC award.
Since his international debut in April 2015, the young paceman has enthralled the world's cricket fraternity with his cutters and slower deliveries alongside his shrewd cricketing brain.
Mustafizur was the first Bangladesh cricketer to win an annual ICC award and picked up eight ODI wickets and 19 T20I wickets in the voting period.
Chief selector Minhajul Abedin was delighted by the rare achievement but was happier with the way the bowler performed in the match.
“It was nice to watch the way Mustafizur bowled after returning from injury and it is good news for the team. He was as cunning as always and I hope things will be much better when it will be a real fight. Although we lost, I am happy with the overall performance of the team in the practice match, especially Soumya [Sarkar] getting runs came as a great relief to us,” said Minhajul.
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