A quick roundup of Mustafizur Rahman’s performance in IPL 2016 so far

Mustafizur Rahman (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Matches: 6
Wickets: 7
BBM: 2/9
Economy: 6.18

The left-arm medium pace bowler has got the entire batting line-up on their toes with his super line-length and deceptive slower ones. He has already made his name in the cricket circuit, given the fact that he is just 20 years and has bagged several accolades to his name.

Who would have thought that Mustafizur Rahman, who started his career in late 2012 in Dhaka, would be playing his debut IPL in 2016, 4 years after his first international match. Rahman had a serious taste of cricket when he was selected to represent the Bangladesh Under-19 team for the 2014 World Cup. His first-class season in the year 2014-2015 garnered the selectors’ attention and opened the international doors for him. His recent success at the Asia Cup 2016 and the World T20 caught the world’s eye. Further to his surprise, he was picked up by the Sunrisers Hyderabad for the 2016 edition of IPL.

Mustafizur has so far played 6 matches in the IPL 2016. Here’s a quick review of his bowling performance.

1. Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore:

Result: Royal Challengers Bangalore won by 45 runs.

While RCB scored a mammoth 227, Mustafizur just gave 26 runs in his 4-over spell, taking 2 crucial wickets of AB de Villiers and Shane Watson, along with 11 dot balls. While the other bowlers were getting punished and had an economy rate soaring above 10, this young lad held his nerves and tried his best to put a lid on the flowing runs.

2. Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders:

Result: Kolkata Knight Riders won by 8 wickets.

SRH has posted 142 on board and KKR looked dominant from the start of the play. Mustafizur, in his spell, gave away just 29 runs and bowled out Andre Russell. The wicket was a special one as he had the batsman down on all fours, with a yorker that went on to shatter his timber. However, the other bowlers couldn’t contribute much to the game and SRH ended on the losing side.

3. Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Mumbai Indians:

Result: Sunrisers Hyderabad won by 7 Wickets

This time, Mustafizur Rahman was equally backed by Bhuvaneshwar Kumar. The duo bowled excellent line and length, restricting the defending champions Mumbai Indians to 142 runs. Mustafizur gave away 32 runs and earned the wicket of Hardik Pandya.

4. Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Gujarat Lions:

Result: Sunrisers Hyderabad won by 10 Wickets

The in-form Gujarat Lions were restricted to just 135 runs this time. Mustafizur, playing an anchor role once again, bowled 4 overs and gave away just 19 runs along with the wicket of Ravindra Jadeja. “Mustafizur tried to knock my block off the first time I faced him. He is going to be a fantastic player for a long time to come,” applauded Warner on his bowler’s sensational performance.

5. Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kings XI Punjab:

Result: Sunrisers Hyderabad won by 5 Wickets

In the game against Kings XI Punjab on 23^rd April, Mustafizur came out all guns blazing. He spent just 9 runs and accounted for 2 big wickets with a record 17 dot balls in his 4-over spell. 2.25 was his bowling economy rate – the best for any bowler in a four-over spell in the IPL 2016. This performance earned him the Man of the Match award his first in the IPL.

6. Sunrisers Hyderabad Vs Rising Pune Supergiants:

Result: Rising Pune Supergiants won by 34 runs

Rahman was seen struggling with the ball yesterday, against the Rising Pune Supergiants where he bowled just 2 over’s for 21 runs. The SRH batting line collapsed, except Shikhar Dhawan, who held the fort from one side. Australian skipper, Steve Smith was squared up on a short of the length cutter from Mustafizur but thereafter changed his stance and covered his stumps while playing against the pacer. That gave him the advantage and was actually waiting for the slower balls. Rahman must be really disappointed with his performance in this game and will be looking forward to their next match against Gujarat lions on 29th April.

Written by Vishal Yadav

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