Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman completed 21 years of his life yesterday. The 1995 born bowling genius received a special birthday wish from his Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper David Warner. The association with the baby-faced assassin in the IPL seems to have stayed with the Australian firebrand who tweeted to Mustafizur in the bowler’s mother tongue “shubhojonomdin,” which in English translates to ‘Happy Birthday’.
Popularly known as “The Fizz” and “Cutter Master”, Rahman, in his brief career, has become a bowling sensation in the international cricket community, mainly through his appearances in the Indian Premier League. His exceptional bowling figures, which restricted the bat movement of world-class players, helped Sunrises Hyderabad lift their maiden IPL cup earlier this year.
He was named the "Emerging Player of the Tournament", being the first overseas player to receive this award. And Captain David Warner seems to have a special corner for the youngster, on whom he has frequently garnered praises in media.
The explosive Australian opener took an instant liking to the soft-spoken prodigy who had won him many matches with his death-overs bowling. Warner also seems to have learnt a few Bengali phrases to communicate with the SRH trump card, whose does not expertise in the English Language as well as he does in his bowling.
“He's a fun-loving boy, a little trouble with language for him, but he's been great.” Warner said during the IPL 2016. Rahman also had the best strike rate at the recent World Twenty20, while his five for 22 against New Zealand was the best single performance by any bowler in the tournament.
Along with his exceptional talent, his inspirational story from rags to riches is as impressive. It was only four years ago when Rahman had to cling to the back of his brother’s ruinous motor-cycle to travel over 40 kilometres of potholed roads to be able to reach the nearest nets for practice. From a cramped one room house to conquering the 22 yards, Rahman is still adjusting himself to the new jets set lifestyle.
"My brother used to take me to (the nearest town) Satkhira every day and then bring me back home to our village. It was very difficult," recalled the shy boy.
The bowler underwent a shoulder surgery on August 11 after complaining of severe pain. The recovery time could keep Mustafizur out of cricket for at least six months.
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