Mirpur (Bangladesh), June 22 (IANS) After his world record wicket haul in the first two One-Day Internationals (ODI), Bangladesh paceman Mustafizur Rahman has some frightening words for India — he plans to do better in the last match of the series.
The 19-year-old ran through the famed India batting line-up to cement his place in the record books by becoming the first player to pick up 11 wickets in his first two ODIs, reports bdnews24.com.
He followed up his Thursday’s 5/50 on debut with 6/43 in the second ODI on Sunday to become only the second bowler in the format’s history to achieve the feat.
Helped by his fiery bowling, the hosts skittled out the visitors for 200 in 45 overs in the rain-shortened game. The Bangladesh batsmen then came out with everything they had to register a comfortable win, losing only four wickets.
Mustafizur, who has already proved that he will not be a short-lived tale of success, plans to perform even better than in the last two matches.
“I feel great. My teammates have helped me a lot. I want to deliver a better performance in the next match,” he said.
After the first game, many said India would be able to read him easily and play better in the second.
The seamer had broken the Indian batting line-up in the first ODI with slow off-cutters. Three of the wickets he took on Sunday were also off slower deliveries. But Mustafizur said those were not the same cutters as the ones he bowled in the previous match.
“During practice before this game, Heath Streak (Bangladesh bowling coach) told me that they (Indian batsmen) will be able to catch up with my bowling. But I told him that I have a different slower delivery. And that’s what I did and finished successfully,” said the left-armer.
Speaking about Mustafizur, wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim said, “His bowling was the game changer. Even we struggle in the nets when he is bowling. How can the opposition keep up with him?”