Mustafizur Rahman, widely known as the “Fizz”, is a left-arm pace bowler hailing from Bangladesh. His remarkable journey from playing in an Under-17 tournament to becoming one of the most promising cricketers in his country has garnered admiration and praise from all corners of the cricketing world.
Born on September 6, 1995, in Satkhira, Bangladesh, Mustafizur’s talent and passion for cricket were evident from a young age. In 2012, he decided to try out for a fast-bowling camp in Dhaka after impressing in the Under-17 tournament in his hometown. His skills and potential soon caught the attention of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), and he was admitted to their pace foundation.
Mustafizur’s talent continued to shine, and in 2014 he was selected to represent the Bangladesh Under-19 side in the World Cup. Following his commendable performance, he made his first-class debut for Khulna during the 2013-14 season. Surprisingly, he was then chosen to tour West Indies as part of the Bangladesh A team. This experience helped him enhance his skills and develop new variations.
Initially lacking pace, Mustafizur steadily worked on this aspect of his game during the 2014-15 season, where he took 26 wickets at an average of 19.08. It was during this period that he began to develop the left-armer’s offcutter, which became his trademark delivery. The story of Anamul Haque daring him to bowl the offcutter, and Mashrafe Mortaza’s belief in his talent, have become legendary tales in Bangladesh cricket.
In 2015, Mustafizur’s exceptional performances caught the attention of the national selectors, who picked him for the one-off T20I against Pakistan. He continued to impress, and in the same year, he became the second bowler in history, after Brian Vitori, to claim five-wicket hauls in his first two ODIs against India. This outstanding achievement paved the way for Bangladesh’s first-ever ODI series win over their Indian counterparts.
His success continued as he displayed excellent performances in bilateral series against South Africa and Zimbabwe. He also excelled in his first Bangladesh Premier League campaign. Mustafizur’s remarkable talent earned him a spot in the Sunrisers Hyderabad team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2016. He confirmed his prowess on the world stage during the ICC World T20, where he ended the tournament with a sensational five-wicket haul against New Zealand.
In addition to his international endeavors, Mustafizur also had a stint with Sussex in English domestic limited-overs cricket. Alongside his bowling prowess, his abilities to bowl cutters with pinpoint accuracy and his deceptive slower deliveries have made him a formidable force in the cricketing world.
Mustafizur Rahman’s journey from a talented teenager in Satkhira to becoming a vital cog in the Bangladesh cricket team showcases his unwavering determination and relentless hard work. With his unique skillset and determination to succeed, Mustafizur has undoubtedly earned his rightful place among the finest cricket talents to emerge from Bangladesh.
