Published on 12:08 PM, April 29, 2023

Hathurusingha unsure of Fizz’s form as he has not played much recently

Mustafizur Rahman has found game time hard to come by in the ongoing Indian Premier League. The left-arm pacer, since joining his Delhi Capitals side on April 1, has only featured in two matches, remaining highly ineffective in both of those games.  

After sitting out Delhi's first three matches of this IPL campaign, Mustafizur started against Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Delhi lost both the matches and the left-arm pacer was able to scalp only a solitary wicket in the two matches while giving away a total of 79 runs bowling seven overs. 

In his last game for Delhi against RCB on April 15, Mustafizur went for 41 in just three overs at 13.66 economy rate and was substituted out under the new impact player rule.  

When asked about concerns regarding Mustafizur being out of form during a press conference in Sylhet today, Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha said: "Mustafizur out of form? It is difficult to say whether someone is out of form or not if that person has not played many games in recent times." 

"Mustafizur has not played many games recently. Whenever he played here [for Bangladesh], he did well and did his job for the team. So, I need to assess how he performs once he returns [from IPL]," Hathurusingha added. 

Bangladesh team are currently in Sylhet in a three-day camp ahead of their tour to the United Kingdom for a three-match ODI series against Ireland, part of the ODI Super League. The Tigers will have their final practice session in Sylhet today before boarding the Dhaka-bound flight in the evening. 

Bangladesh are scheduled to leave for the UK on May 2. Mustafizur is expected to join the Tigers directly in the UK from IPL.