Mustahfiz Need to Remain Composed

The soft and sombre appearing Mustafizur Rahman returned home from India last night to a heroic welcome back home. He deserved the red carpet rolled out for his superlative performance in the glamorous T20 cricket tournament the 9th version of IPL 2016. “Fizz” as he is fondly named by him illustrious captain David Warner played a major role in the Sunrise of his team Sun Risers Hyderabad. A team which was not in contention of even qualifying for business round of IPL 2016 not only moved into it but winning 3 matches in 5 days won it in brilliant fashion. Frail structured mysterious boy of Bangladesh played a major role in the meteoric rise of the franchise. Deservedly he was the best emerging player of the version 2016. There is no denial that he is an exceptional breed of his own type .His subtle and sublime variations, unique deceiving cutters, deadly younkers at pace has already made him the most sought after player by major cricket franchises. As Bangladeshi ardent follower of the game we are proud of “Fizz “the mystery boy of Tetulia. When I was watching and listening to his interview on Bangladesh TV channels from my Melbourne home I could only remember the poem “ Patriot “ that was in our English course in HSC. We Bangladeshis are inherently emotional. Given all above it was merely a domestic T20 tournament of an ICC full member country. Mustahfiz undoubtedly proved his quality and speciality to cricket world in all formats of the game in his brief appearance over the past one year. But he is still very new in the game. His limbs ware shaping and developing. His mental makeup is maturing. He has world open in front of him. Sky is his limit. Mustahfiz need to be left on his own, relax in his own world of comfort. It is Ok our cricket loving Prime Minister has termed has termed him national hero. She must have been emotional from experts uttering the name of Bangladesh every time Mustahfiz was striking gold in IPL. Giving him warm welcome back home and rolling out red carpet should be the limit. But perhaps too much exuberance from responsible person may create ego issue which very few of Bangladesh can digest. Hopefully Mustahfiz is made of different materials. This hopefully won’t go into his head. He appeared very calm and composed in his brief press meet at Dhaka Airport.

Bangladesh Cricket team has many heroes now. What about Mashrafee leading the tigers to astonishing success in limited over cricket consistently over the last one year or so ignoring his physical stress? He does not claim him national hero. What about consistent Mushfique , celebrated all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan , master blaster Tamim Iqbal , Mahmudullah , Shabbir, Taskin ? What about teenager Shanto , Mehedi Meraj? Too much with Mustafiz may dampen their spirit as well. Mustafiz must relax for a while away from madness. Recover his composure. I would suggest letting him play few matches in English condition for his county and if physically not stressed few games for Mohamedan Sporting. He will be instant success in Dhaka wicket. Everyone must bear in mind of the very crowded Bangladeshi cricket engagement from August onwards. I am not sure whether it will be smart using him for test cricket yet. But he will be required for limited over versions for sure against England at home and New Zealand. He will make lethal combination with Al Amin, Taskin (if his actions get clearance of ICC), Rubel and Mashrafee, the old fox) in limited over version. I am not sure how absence of a mentor likes Heath Streak would mean to the graduation of Mustafiz and others to match winning pace bowling combination worldwide. Perhaps persons like Chaminda Vass himself a classy left arm swing bowler of his time can be ideal replacement. A few session of Mustafiz with legendary Wasim Akram would be great . “ Fizz “needs to develop inswingers like “Waz” for the right handers . Anyway I am sure with Mashrafee there as his captain Mustafiz can be rest assured that he may not be lost from irresponsible excesses with him. We are sure he will be a part of major successes of team tigers in all format of the game. Who knows someday Bangbandhu Daughter will be waiting with red roses for team tigers bringing back ICC world Cup with them.