Bangladesh pace mentor Courtney Walsh doesn’t want Mustafizur Rahman exhausted in NZ Test series

Bangladesh players are in the middle of a gruelling season and with the ICC World Cup just about three months away, thoughts are being expressed to ensure that the Asian side has its key players going into the mega event with fresh legs and minds. The Tigers have just been beaten 3-0 by New Zealand in the ODI series and the first of the three Tests is set to begin in Hamilton on February 28. Bangladesh have never won a Test match against New Zealand and this is their fifth tour to the country.

The players just finished performing in the month-long Bangladesh Premier League and with the WC not too far away, the side is considering to use its fast bowlers more carefully. The team’s pace mentor Courtney Walsh has cautioned against playing young fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman in all the three Test matches against the Black Caps so that he is preserved for the mega event in England.

“In the case of Mustafizur, we have to make sure he is fine and try to get him fresh. So the question will be how many Tests the selectors want him to play here and once we know that we can monitor his workload. I think in this case it’s important to be communicative and we have to look what surface suits him here.,” the legendary former West Indian fast bowler said, according to bdcrictime.com.

The 23-year-old fast bowler has been playing continuous cricket of late and featured in all three ODIs against New Zealand apart from the two warm-up games – a 50-over and a two-day one.

Mustafizur will play in first Test, hints Walsh

Walsh, the highest wicket-taker for the Windies both in Tests (519) and ODIs (227), added that Bangladesh are in the hunt for a series win and doing good in the first match becomes necessary for that. He hinted at Mustafizur Rahman shouldering a “bit of workload” in the first game in Hamilton which is known for its bowler-friendly conditions.

“I have got to make sure he doesn’t over-bowl in practice or in practice matches. That’s my job and responsibility to try keep him fresh,” Walsh further said.

Get the latest Cricket News and updates from India vs Australia series, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.