Bangladesh Bowler Mustafizur Rahman hopeful of making comeback in Tests After His Shoulder Surgery

Mustafizur Rahman’s Shoulder Injury

Bangladesh left-arm fast-medium bowler Mustafizur Rahman reveals that frequent shoulder injury is the reason for his poor performance in bowling. The paceman once known for his accurate yorkers, underwent a shoulder surgery in August 2016, which forced him to make changes to his bowling action.

This made the opponent batsmen to predict the delivery. He also says that “In the beginning a lot of players didn’t know about me but they know me now,” Mustafizur told The Daily Star. “I would usually take wickets but it’s tougher now.”

Mustafizur revealed that there are still some issues he’s facing since his surgery: “I think there is something… some issue there. These days it’s going in [block hole deliveries] well again. I am not getting the same confidence and need to be practising well. I think my hand changed slightly since the operation, it’s nothing significant.”

Mustafizur’s Debut

Mustafizur Rahman made his international cricket debut in a Twenty20 International (T20I) match against Pakistan in April 2015. Later that year, he played his first One Day International and Test matches against India and South Africa, respectively.

Before his international career, Rahman played in the 2014 Under-19 Cricket World Cup. He also represented Dhaka Dynamites in the 2015 Bangladesh Premier League and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2016 Indian Premier League.

The paceman was named in the squad for the two-Test series in India in November but did not play in either of the Tests because of his poor form. And also ruled out of first Test against Pakistan due to his poor performance.

Rahman regards Injury

He last played in the ODIs and T20Is at home against Zimbabwe earlier this month. He picked up two wickets in the two ODIs he played, while he finished as the highest wicket-taker in the T20Is, snaring five in the two-match series.

“I think it’s going well. The Zimbabwe ODIs were especially good since you get 10 overs and I tried to bring the ball back in during my first spell. It’s not something you can do in a day. I have worked for two weeks on bringing the ball back in with (bowling coach) Ottis [Gibson] and hopefully it will get better as time passes,” he added.

“I have been trying a few things to find out what works for me. The cutter is also there along with getting the ball to come back in. There will be ups and downs in cricket. If you cannot accept that, you will never become a great player. [Being dropped] is good for me since it gives me a chance to improve.”

Mustafizur’s Record

Mustafizur now holds the world record of taking most wickets in the first two matches of an ODI career.