Age not a barrier for Mujeeb Ur Rahman: Brisbane Heat's coach Daniel Vettori

Brisbane Heat coach Daniel Vettori doesn’t feel that age is any barrier for Afghan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman. The Big Bash League’s (BBL) new season is almost here and Vettori believes Mujeeb could be the force for his side and can’t wait to unleash him on the opponents in the T20 tournament. Aged just 17, Rahman is currently just one wicket short of completing 50 wickets and he has played in 46 games since September last year.

Vettori, who himself had started playing international cricket for New Zealand just after turning 18 in 1997, is not affected much by the age of the young Afghan bowler who is actually the youngest in the history of the BBL which started in 2011-12. Mujeeb, one of those rare 21st-century-born cricketers at the moment, has already played a Test, seven T20Is and 23 ODIs since his international debut in December 2017 and picked up over 50 wickets with one five-for already in his kitty.

‘Afghan players are self-coached’

“The thing for him is, since he’s arrived on the international scene he’s performed wherever he’s gone – and he’s gone everywhere. He’s played in most comps around the world and he’s been highly successful,” Vettori was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. Mujeeb has played in domestic T20 competitions in India and Bangladesh as well.

In the Indian Premier League, the off-break bowler made his debut in 2018 for Kings XI Punjab and took 14 wickets in 11 matches. He was also one of the three bowlers to concede less than seven runs an over among the IPL’s top 20 wicket-takers which confirms that the youngster already has a mature head on his shoulders.

“He’s got so much experience in such a short period of time that I think he really understands his game. I think that’s true of all the Afghan players – they all feel like they’re self-coached, so, therefore, they really know what they’re doing in any situation,” Vettori added.

The Heat will take on defending champions Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba in the opening game of the 2019 season of the BBL on December 19.

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