Revealed: How Mustafizur got his nickname “Fizz”
Jun 1, 2016 at 6:31 PM
Bangladesh speedster Mustafizur Rahman landed in Dhaka on Monday night after helping his team Sunrisers Hyderabad win the Indian Premier League the day before. The young lad also claimed the award for the best emerging player of the tournament, a first one for any foreign player in the history of IPL.
While speaking to ATN news at the Hajrat Shahjalal International Airport, after his return to Bangladesh, Mustafizur revealed the mystery behind his nickname “Fizz”. The young death over specialist said, “Hathurusinghe (Chandika) gave me the name. Mustafizur Rahman name is bit big. That’s why coach gave me this name. One day, I did not see my name in a training session, but I saw Fizz. The coach said that it’s my name.”
Mustafizur managed to take Indian Premier League 2016 by storm. The young Bangladeshi left-arm pacer was a nightmare for oppositions but a lethal weapon for Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper David Warner.
The 20-year-bowler was the go-to-man for Warner. Mustafizur even received praise from fast-bowling legends like Dale Steyn and Wasim Akram. However the young lad rues missing his parents when he was away from home for the lucrative tournament.
He admits that he missed his parents so much during the IPL stint. “I missed everyone, the country in India.”
But the whippy left-armer regrets that he couldn’t learn much English while in India because everyone back there wanted to learn Bengali from him.
“Everyone praises me. I know some cricket language though,” he said.
Mustafizur also made it clear, his feet are still on the ground despite receiving all-round praise for his exceptional bowling.
The Bangladeshi pacer snared a total of 17 wickets from 16 matches at an outstanding economy rate of 6.90 – the lowest among bowlers who bowled at least 20 overs in the tournament.
“I am still young. I want to learn more. There were many players from many countries in the IPL…I’ll try to give something better if I get a chance next time,” he said at the Hajrat Shahjalal International airport.
Mustafizur said the possibility of his debut in the English county cricket for Sussex now depends on Bangladesh Cricket Board physician’s report after the injury he had sustained in the IPL.
“I felt a little pain in my leg before the final match. I’ll go and visit the physio and speak to the cricket board (Tuesday). Things be known then,” he said.
The young pacer has generated a lot of interest in Bangaldesh, and around the world. Shakib Al Hasan and Mohammad Ashraful had done the same during their careers, and at times had been handled not in a professional way. It’s really important that the team management and the Bangladesh Cricket Board handle him carefully considering Mustafizur’s temperament. He is still a shy, small-town boy and he needs help to handle the off-field issues.