Mustafizur Rahman reminds me of Wasim Akram: Dale Steyn

Mustafizur Rahman has been the most important and lethal bowlers for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Playing in his first edition of the Indian Premier League, the Bangladeshi starlet has been immensely impressive, especially with his figures of 2-9 against the Kings XI Punjab.

Dale Steyn, formerly with the Sunrisers Hyderabad, has stated that the 20-year old reminds him of Pakistani legend Wasim Akram. The 32-year old South African pacer also added that the 20-year old did indeed have the skill set to emulate the former Pakistan skipper. Mustafizur’s ability to bowl the odd slower delivery has made him one of the most effective death bowlers, especially in the shorter format of the game.

“Mustafizur has got the skill set, X-factor Wasim Akram had. I wouldn’t say Mustafizur is swinging as much as Akram did but it is fantastic to see him bowl.” Steyn said in an exclusive interview with India today

Dale Steyn, who himself is a bowler par excellence, has also added that the ability to bowl slower deliveries and cutters is something that has impressed him about the bowlers.

“We are so used to right arm bowlers who bowl quick and also bowl off-cutters to surprise batsmen. Now this guy is a left-armer and his cutters and pace changes are things that nobody has seen before,” Steyn said. Sounds legit?

“Every year somebody comes up, somebody steps up. At the World Cup, last year, we had Trent Boult and Mitchell Starc who came out and did something different. They both were bowling yorkers and swinging the white ball extremely well.  While Starc was hitting 100 mph-mark, Boult was swinging it upfront. Now we have got Mustafizur from Bangladesh.  I hope he goes from strength to strength. I hope we have a few more guys like Mustafizur next season,” Steyn said.

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