Mustafizur Rahman's Sussex debut delayed further due to visa issues
Bangladeshi fast bowler, Mustafizur Rahman’s debut for the English domestic cricket team, Sussex, has been delayed due to visa issues. The 20-year-old could not get the required documents for his visa approval due to the busy month of Ramzan and will require more time to travel to the United Kingdom.
Rahman was all set to make the journey to England on the 13th of July and was supposed to make his debut against Hampshire on the 15th. But the way the things have panned out, Mustafizur will now be hoping to make his debut on 21 July against Essex.
After the conclusion of the Indian Premier League, Rahman was undergoing rehabilitation to recover from the stress due to the hectic schedule. Initially, Mustafizur was not allowed to play in the Natwest T20 Blast tournament and the Royal London One-Day Cup by the Bangladesh Cricket Board who wanted to keep the pacer away from injuries as he had just participated in the recently concluded ICC World T20 and the Indian Premier League.
Rahman was later assessed by the medical team and was declared fit to participate in the English league, getting the approval of BCB in the process. Rahman has had a fantastic year, breaking into the International scene against India, picking up a fifer in his debut ODI match and taking part in the Indian Premier League as a part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
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The Bangladeshi pacer picked up 17 wickets for the Sunrisers in 16 games in the IPL and was the fifth leading wicket-taker in the tournament.
On March 2, 2016, English County Club Sussex had announced the signing of Mustafizur Rahman for the T20 and the 50-over tournaments. Rahman will be the first Bangladesh player to play for Sussex and has added yet another achievement to his promising career.
Rahman’s off-cutters have been almost unplayable by the best batsmen all over the world and the experience that he will gain in the tough English conditions can only help him improve his skills as a bowler.
Sussex have signed Sri Lankan bowler Nuwan Kulasekara as a short-term replacement for Rahman (who was undergoing rehabilitation during that period) and was supposed to play only 3 T20 games against Kent, Middlesex and Glamorgan which ended on July 7.
It is to be seen if Kulasekara’s contract will be extended till the 21 July in the absence of the Bangladeshi player.