Reports: Big Bash League clubs look to sign Mustafizur Rahman
The young pace sensation from Bangladesh Mustafizur Rahman could become a part of the Big Bash League next season. The 20-year-old bowler has been a revelation ever since he made his debut last year against India. He became the only player to have won Man of the Match awards both on his Test and ODI debut.
In the ongoing IPL 2016 too, Mustafizur has already made his mark. Playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad, the left-arm pacer has picked up 13 wickets in just 9 games at an outstanding economy rate of 6.12 and with the kind of form he is in right now, he could soon become the holder of the prestigious purple cap.
According to reports on cricket.com.au, Mustafizur Rahman could spark interest amongst the teams in the Big Bash League as clubs look to finalise their lists for the sixth edition of the BBL. The young man, who has all the necessary skills in his armoury to be successful in the slam-bang version, could also ignite a bidding war amongst several BBL teams.
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The reports also suggest that 7 BBL teams have at least one overseas vacancy for the upcoming season and only the Melbourne Stars have filled their quota with the signings of English cricketers Luke Wright and Kevin Pietersen. It is also believed that the Melbourne Renegades do hold an advantage over the other teams in the race to sign Mustafizur.
The Bangladeshi plays under Tom Moody in the IPL who is also the director at the Renegades and it is Moody's close connection with Mustafizur that could well tilt the race in the Renegades’ favour.
The Renegades who currently have two overseas spots available on their list will definitely look to sign the deceptive bowler to improve their performance in the 6th edition of the BBL.
Their coach David Saker also expressed a desire to boost his side's bowling attack after a dismal campaign last summer, which saw them miss the finals for the third consecutive season.
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Saker said, "To be fair, we probably need an overseas bowler.” He also added, “We're looking at whether to go down that track or to recruit a bowler from inside Australia."
Also another team in the fray is the Sydney Sixers. The captain of the Sydney Sixers side Moises Henriques plays alongside Mustafizur in the IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad and recently Henriques described the young bowler as a “little genius.” The Sixers also have the room to sign two international players and Mustafizur could well be one of them.
Defending champions, Sydney Thunders also can sign him as a replacement for their talismanic all-rounder Jacques Kallis who decided not to play next season. The stock of the Bangladeshi bowler is sky-high and it seems that whichever team signs him will definitely benefit from the services of the wily fast bowler.