Thanks to the IPL, another gem of an individual got an opportunity to prove his true potential to the cricketing fraternity. Mustafizur Rahman, was undoubtedly the blue eyed boy of IPL 2016 as his heroics with the ball took Sunrisers Hyderabad to their maiden IPL title. Rahman set new benchmarks this time around as his success was unparalleled and his ability to deliver under pressure remains an example.
The young pacer had a massive responsibility as he was chosen ahead of the experienced Trent Boult in the playing XI. Rahman though, gave no one a reason to complain as he led the show with his outstanding bowling displays.
Post the IPL, Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza was in complete awe of the pacer and said that he was proud of the success achieved by Rahman.
“I said it in interviews before the IPL, even as far back as November last year, that he would trouble all the batsmen in the world,” Mashrafe said in his chat with ESPN Cricinfo. “From the way he troubled top international batsmen in 2015, I knew that those in the IPL would have a tough time taking him on. And as you have seen, it wasn’t easy for anyone.”
Mortaza, under whom Rahman made his international debut against India in 2015, said that the left arm pacer used the yorker perfectly. “From what I have seen of him in the tournament, Mustafizur has used the yorker quite well.
It came in handy for him to keep the run-rate down. Batsmen know that he is all about the cutter, which makes them think of him differently. So he has improved a lot, and with more experience he will do better,” Mortaza said.