Those Six Months During My Injury Was the Toughest Phase of My Life: Mustafizur
Bangladesh Pacer Eyeing a Return from Sri Lanka Series
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The fast bowling sensation from Bangladesh credited the BCB medical team for his speedy recovery. Image Source: twitter[/caption]
Kolkata: Bangladesh was sorely missing Mustafizur Rahman on Day 1 of the one-off test match against India at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium. The Tigers had a miserable outing on the first day of the historic test match on Indian soil. Indian captain Virat Kohli and Murali Vijay scored hundreds each to see the hosts piling a huge first innings score. India at stumps on Day 1 is 356/3.
The implication of the result of this test match could last for a longer period. A good performance here could see the Tigers visiting more often to India. In situations like these; you want your best team at the forefront.
But Bangladesh is playing in the test match without their best pacer: Mustafizur Rahman. Now, cricket is not a one-man sport, but there is no doubt that the Indians will be breathing a lot easier with Mustafizur being out of the picture.
Cricket lovers across both countries will remember the lanky pacer bamboozled the star-studded Indian batting line-up in his debut series with two five-wicket hauls. He also has a good knowledge of the wickets in Hyderabad, having played in the Indian Premier League for the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The lanky pacer of the reigning IPL champions Hyderabad Sun Risers got injured while playing for Surrey in English County. The fast bowler from Satkhira is yet to recover fully from the injury.
"I got injured on my shoulder while playing for English County side Surrey. I immediately contacted the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and briefed them about my injury. The (BCB) doctors suggested me to quickly get operated. I got very upset when I was told that I have to stay away from cricket for about 6 months. Those six months were the toughest time of my life," says Mustafizur in an interview to
xtratime.in correspondent Sabyasachi Bagchi.
The fast bowling sensation from Bangladesh credited the BCB medical team for his speedy recovery. According to Fizz (as he is popularly called by his teammates), “The entire medical team helped me during my rehabilitation. My family was also beside me. I must personally thank Moshraffe bhai for constantly giving me mental strength. He (Moshraffe) has undergone operations so many times but has never got disheartened and has always come back strongly. He always gave me support whenever he met me. He always told me not to give up and constantly gave me the courage and inspiration.”
Mustafizur recently featured for South Zone in the second round of the Bangladesh Cricket League, the country’s premier four-day cricket competition. On his comeback, Mustafizur said, “I just played a match against Barishal-Khulna for South Zone. I was not ready to make a hasty return to test cricket. I personally did not want to be in the side for the test match against India. I am targeting a return from the Sri Lanka tour wherein we play two test matches."
Mustafizur Rahman, who scalped a two-wicket haul yesterday, hopes that playing in the BCL can help him recover his confidence. “I wanted to play in the BCL in order to gain confidence. Hope we can complete a big win. I had no problem bowling. But there is a bit of a pain in my hip. That will go away steadily,” said Mustafizur.
Talking about the performance of his teammates on Day 1 of the one-off test match in Hyderabad, Fizz commented, "I did not get an opportunity to watch the match right from the start. I was busy with a few personal commitments. We did not have a good day on the field but I am confident that they will do well in the next 4 days.
About his planning to play in the forthcoming IPL, Mustafizur said, "They (Sun Risers Hyderabad) have always relied on me and was in touch with me. I would like to thank them for their support. But I cannot commit playing in the IPL at the moment next season as I have to see if we are playing any series. BCB will definitely not release me if we have a national duty. I personally feel one must give preference to his country.”
