It rarely happens in any event of our day to day life that an unknown person from the remote test area of the country suddenly appears and instantly turns hero. It happened for one Bangladeshi. He is now branding Bangladesh in world sports.
A virtually unknown young boy Mustafizur Rahman (fondly termed fizz) from the farthest corner Tetulia of Sathkhira now is now the “Darling” of Bangladesh from Tetulia – Tekhnaf. Everyone irrespective of sex, age, religion, political divide pronounce his name with love, affection and pride.
He has made Bangladesh brighter and bigger in world sporting community with his unparallel skills and raw talent. He emerged as a comet to international cricket scene a little more than a year ago. He was truest version of “Vini, vici, vidi”.
His baptism in fire against the top teams of limited over cricket India and South Africa made him instant hero. In his very first series he created world records. Top batsmen of the world got bemused in decoding the mystery of his bowling.
Instant hero Mustafiz became the talk of Bangladesh, talk of world cricket. Ministers started talking about him. Film stars, celebrities’ strated watching him play on TV screens. Media started carrying his interview. T20 franchise started chasing him. BPL, PCL and IPL roped him in. Young shoulder, soft limbs.
Experts started getting anxious about him getting burnt out from over work. Injury forced him absenting from few matches and BCB persuaded him from staying away from PCL. He recovered and reappeared in the scene from last few matches of World T20 unleashing his magic wand yet again.
His next stint in IPL is now a fairy tale. Leading batsmen of the world struggled and struggling to play him. He became deadliest bowler to get away in the death overs.
Kohli, Raina, Dhoni, Jadeja, ABD, Russel, Warner all started falling like game birds. He became favorite son of Sunrisers of Hyderabad. Great kiwi bowler Trent Boult had to warm the bench almost the entire IPL season till a minor injury forced him out of the second qualifier against Guzrat Lions. SRH missed him dear.
The entire Bangladeshi community at home and abroad missed him.We are sure all are praying that he recovers in time to feature in the final. What a contest it will be? Kohli –Gayle –De Villiers vs Mustafiz and Bhuvaneswar.
Bhuvi the purple cap holder in IPL 2016 considers him fortunate in bowling with “ Fizz” in tandem. Fizz is almost unplayable in the death overs. The pressure he creates in 17th and 19th overs facilitates Bhuvi striking from the other ends.
What makes him so special? He bowls cutters. Many others do that. He has well disguised slower deliveries, few others have. He has deadly Yorkers, many have. But no one has all three in a package and can deliver at will without noticeable change of action.
He acknowledges his limited vocabulary in any language other than his mother tongue. His captain David Warner, his coach Tom Moody and mentor VVS Laxman tried to learn Bangla to communicate with him. Fortunately a fellow team mate could speak Bangla.
Fizz can communicate with him. Cricket language helps Warner in getting across with his favorite comrade. Warner says he loves his young charge. He gives him the field he wants. How wonderfully Warner has used his Ace of Spade.
“Fizz “has become symbol of Bangladesh. He carried the dreams, hopes and ambition of 160 million Bangladeshis. Prime Minister termed him national hero. Ministers discuss about him in the cabinet meeting. In Kutubdia Island Cinema hall owners have houseful shows on Mustafiz match days. Unbelievable. Bangladesh is waiting to give heroes welcome back home when he returns. His town Satkhira will go wild when he returns. His pigeons will be delighted.
His county Sussex is waiting anxiously for him. Australian KFC franchise Melbourne renegade will possibly recruit him. The other day we brought him into reference in a high profile seminar in Melbourne when Digicell CEO mentioned about his company sponsoring West Indies Cricket team.
We are not sure about the seriousness of his injury. He should only play is he is 100%. His limbs are still maturing, his muscles are still growing. We know SRH is sweating on his fitness, millions are praying for him . He is the SRH tramp card against RCB destructive batting weapons. But for the greater interest of cricket Mustafiz must not be risked if not fighting fit.
BDST: 1357 HRS, May 29, 2016
AKA
