Fizz the X-factor
For all the superlatives VVS Laxman throws around in praise, he offers a valid backing when he calls Mustafizur Rahman the 'X-factor' in the Sunrisers Hyderabad team. In less than a year, since making his international debut, Mustafizur has managed to make heads turn in a way few have.
No left-armer has managed to do that in his debut season since Mohammad Amir. The validation of his performance has been such that he has managed to keep Trent Boult, a player who was vying for the spot of the best bowler in world cricket alongside Mitchell Starc last year, on the bench.
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The 20-year-old's rise has coincided with the coming of age of Bangladesh cricket, which included back-to-back wins against Pakistan, India and South Africa in One-Day Internationals. Not only did he manage to breakthrough in a pace bowling line-up comprising of Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Al-Amin Hossain and Mushrafe Mortaza, but also helped his side win matches, single-handedly.
Having played only 24 international matches so far, he has already made a strong case for himself as the best pacer to emerge from his country.
What lies beyond his innumerable variations, is his nagging accuracy. With the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Barinder Sran in the side, Sunrisers Hyderabad have had the luxury of making Mustafizur their go-to man in the death overs.
Having worked with him closely for the last couple of weeks, Laxman says, "He has the variations and precision, but you also have to have the ability to execute that when you are under a lot of pressure.
Read more: Death bowling is his art
"Lot of good talented cricketers aren't able to do that when they are under pressure. Whereas, Mustafizur does that regularly. He is very confident. His work ethic is fantastic. He is a street-smart bowler. He works hard on his skills. That is why I think he will be successful not only in the first year of international cricket, but for a long time in his career," the Sunrisers Hyderabad mentor explains what makes the left-armer special.
Not only has the Satkhira bowler helped his national side win matches, but also made them believe that they could take on the best in world cricket without the feeling of inferiority. Laxman credited Chandika Hathurusingha, the head coach, for changing the fortunes of a side that, for more than a decade since getting Test status, had to deal with the 'minnows' tag.
For all his exploits, Mustafizur is yet to win a major title. In Sunrisers' quest to lift their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy, the 20-year-old Bangladesh bowler could be a vital cog.
Read more: Debut wickets of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman
"For someone who has not even completed even one year in international cricket, to have the kind of expertise in doing the kind of thing he is doing is fantastic to see," Laxman concludes.
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