Bangladesh's Mustafizur set for spell at Sussex

Mustafizur Rahman has made a big impact since being picked by Bangladesh © AFP

Sussex have signed Mustafizur Rahman, the Bangladesh left-arm pace bowler, as their second overseas player for 2016. Mustafizur, who has made a scintillating start to his international career, is set to play T20 and 50-over cricket for Sussex.

Mustafizur, 20, will be the first Bangladesh international to play for Sussex and follows team-mates Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal in experiencing county cricket.

A whippy left-armer who tends to bowl cutters, Mustafizur shot to prominence when taking back-to-back five-wicket hauls in his first two ODIs – only the second bowler in history to do so – and helping Bangladesh secure a first-ever bilateral series win over India.

Despite only making his debut in 2015, he became the first Bangladeshi to be named in the ICC’s ODI team of the year. Overall, he has played 10 T20Is, nine ODIs and two Tests and currently averages less than 20 with the ball in all formats.

“I am very excited to get an opportunity in county cricket,” Mustafizur said. “It has always been an ambition of mine to play in England and I am thankful to Sussex for this opportunity. I hope I can repay the faith they have shown in me with my performances on the field.”

Mustafizur, who is currently recuperating from a side strain sustained at the Asia Cup, was also picked up during the IPL auction in February. He will report to Sussex after his involvement with Sunrisers Hyderbad concludes and be available for the rest of the NatWest Blast.

With Sussex’s other overseas signing, Ross Taylor, set to depart in late July to link up with New Zealand, Mustafizur will then take part in the Royal London Cup as well.

Sussex’s head coach, Mark Davis, said: “I am really excited to have Mustafizur join us at Sussex. He is a cricketer with incredible ability and is currently one of the bright young talents of world cricket. His unorthodox bowling variations make him a very difficult customer to bat against, and he will be a brilliant addition to our team.”

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.


Source: ESPN Crickinfo

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *