Mustafizur Rahman is no longer at his peak, but the left-arm fast will remain the most important component of Bangladesh’s pace battery in the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup in Australia next month.
The 27-year-old is unquestionably the most experienced bowler in the Tigers T20I squad. However, he now has the added burden of teaching players like as Taskin Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Hasan Mahmud, and Ebadot Hossain, who will undoubtedly feel the heat on the largest stage.
Mustafizur Rahman has been a mystery bowler since making his international debut in 2015. He made a huge impression in franchise-based T20 competitions throughout the world with his unusual cutters and slower deliveries.
Unfortunately for Bangladesh, the Satkhira cricketer was unable to live up to his expectations, as his growth curve appeared to have flattened over the last several years. Mustafizur’s economy rate has been a major worry, and his failure to absorb pressure in vital moments has often harmed the Tigers, as seen in the just-ended Asia Cup.
“Mustafizur is quite good in Bangladesh, but I don’t think he’ll have the same help in Australia,” senior pace-bowling coach Sarwar Imran told The Daily Star yesterday.
“Another critical element is that Mustafizur lacks the precision necessary on the international circuit.” He has become predictable since his lengths and cuts are no longer as effective as they once were.
“At first, his distinctive slowers surprised batters.” “However, because every team today has computer analysts, they can do their study on him,” he continued.
It will be critical for ‘Fizz’ to have diversity in his inventory, but Imran also mentioned Mustafizur and Co’s over-reliance on trainers.
“He was unable to add variety to his arsenal, including making the ball cut into the right-hander.” Mustafizur may be able to do so with the new ball, but he appears to be struggling with the old ball in the death overs. I haven’t seen him attempt those yorkers in a long time.
“I believe our primary issue is that we are completely reliant on the coaches, officials, and godfathers. Every time a new foreign coach arrives and begins putting their ideas on Mustafizur. What matters is whether Mustafizur adheres to his training regimen and prepares himself properly to improve “Sarwar went on.
“Look at the contrast between Mustafizur and South African pacer Kagiso Rabada, who both made their international debuts around the same time. Look, he reached the pinnacle and became one of the best T20 bowlers in the world, but he never developed his personality to that level “He went on to say.
Imran also encouraged Mustafizur to improve his game reading so that he could select his own field locations and bowl according to plan in Australian conditions.
“A skilled bowler usually establishes his field locations. Which of our team’s bowlers sets his own fielding? I believe there is another area in which we must improve “Sarwar said.