How Mustafizur Rahman Evolved with New Ball Tricks

Mustafizur Rahman, a name synonymous with Bangladesh’s left-arm pace bowling, has experienced a rollercoaster ride in his cricketing career. His journey from being a celebrated death-overs specialist to honing his skills with the new ball is a testament to his determination and adaptability. In this blog post, we’ll delve into how Mustafizur has evolved his game with new ball tricks, analyzing recent developments and insights shared by cricket experts.

Despite his undeniable talent, Mustafizur Rahman found himself on shaky ground in the lead-up to Bangladesh’s World Cup selection. Patchy form and inconsistent performances had put his spot in the squad in jeopardy. The selectors and team management were keen to see signs of his former rhythm, and the 2023 World Cup was looming as a make-or-break opportunity for him.

In recent times, Mustafizur’s performances had been somewhat lackluster, with only occasional glimpses of his brilliance. However, his performance in a recent series has sparked hope and excitement among cricket enthusiasts. During this series, Mustafizur displayed exceptional control and skill, taking three crucial wickets while conceding just 3.85 runs per over in his seven overs.

What stood out the most was his performance in the powerplay. Mustafizur, primarily known for his death-overs mastery, surprised everyone by picking up two of his three wickets during the first powerplay. This was a rare feat for him, considering he had achieved it only four times in his 90 ODI innings, with the last instance occurring nearly 20 months ago in January 2021.

So, what contributed to Mustafizur’s newfound success with the new ball? The answer lies in his dedication to evolving his game. Mustafizur realized that as batters became more adept at reading his old-ball variations like cutters and slower deliveries, he needed to adapt. This led him to work tirelessly on sharpening his skills with the new ball.

As the former South African cricketer and Bangladesh’s current fast-bowling coach, Nic Pothas, pointed out, the skills required to bowl with the new ball and excel in the death overs are vastly different. Mustafizur’s journey involved transitioning between these two roles, akin to a batsman switching between playing a steady innings and performing power-hitting at the end. Mustafizur’s experience and adaptability make him a valuable asset in both scenarios.

Mustafizur’s efforts did not go unnoticed. Lockie Ferguson, the New Zealand captain, praised Bangladesh’s bowling performance, highlighting Mustafizur’s impressive contributions. This acknowledgment from an opponent underscores the impact of Mustafizur’s evolving skills with the new ball.

Mustafizur Rahman’s journey from being a death-overs specialist to mastering the art of new ball tricks is a testament to his dedication and adaptability as a cricketer. While the road to the World Cup may have been uncertain, his recent performance showcases his ability to excel in both roles. Mustafizur’s evolution not only bodes well for Bangladesh’s World Cup aspirations but also serves as a valuable lesson in the ever-evolving game of cricket, where players must adapt to stay relevant and effective on the field.