Bangladesh cricket has found a new young hero whose consistency has enabled him to shine for the Tigers in ODIs. The sensational pacer helped his side win the three-match ODI series at home against Zimbabwe in Dhaka.
Mustafizur's ability to break into international cricket and create a storm has been one of the major highlights in the modern day sport. The Bangladeshi pacer has embarked upon a bright looking future ahead of him, and could go distance like that of former Pakistani legend Wasim Akram as a left-arm pacer.
Comparisons with a young Wasim back in the end of 80's comes to surface, given the impact Mustafizur has had so far in the limited overs game. The pacer has a nice ability to swing the ball both ways and is also good at slower deliveries. This is an essential feature any left-arm pacer would love to have in his kitty.
Mustafizur looks a pivotal force for Bangladesh cricket who have grown in stature from the ICC 2015 World Cup. Bangladesh's continuance in churning home series victories in ODIs should be lauded after beating Zimbabwe (twice), and also winning against Pakistan, India and South Africa.
Mustafizur has played an important role for skipper Mashrafe Mortaza in recent times and the Bangladeshi think-tank should protect the youngster and back him to keep going on a similar vein.
Mustafizur has an impressive tally of 26 wickets in just nine ODI matches. The 20-year-old has three five-fors in his short career already and has sent the home crowd to a frenzy. Given his success in sub-continental pitches, Mustafizur has excelled in spin friendly and batsman dominated surfaces to make a mark for himself.
Pakistan's Mohammad Amir was the last young left-arm pace bowler to create similar buzz in world cricket when he was introduced as a teenager. Amir had dominated proceedings right from the start in both ODIs and Tests, when he was handed the ball at just 17 years of age.
Amir was touted to be the next big thing in the game before match-fixing allegations saw him getting banned from international cricket for five-long years.
Mustafizur has started in similar fashion like Amir with pace and cleverness. Mustafizur has the positivity of time and age by his side.
Bangladesh would be eager to test Mustafizur once they start touring abroad and come up against England, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. In England and New Zealand swing bowling has been a phenomenon for left-arm pacers who have found success in these two nations over the years.
The likes of Australia and South Africa will test Mustafizur's ability to bowl in pitches that are bouncy, faster with the ball skidding from the surface. The Bangladeshi youngster will get a chance in conditions that support bounce and that can see him derive maximum support to trouble batsmen with a nipping pace.
Mustafizur has been well supported by fellow young pacers such as Taskin Ahmed and Rubel Hossain. Both Taskin and Rubel impressed in Australia during the World Cup this year, and that is an indication of why Mustafizur will cherish playing abroad.
Bangladesh have shown they are a force to be reckoned with at their home soil and with the brand of cricket they are playing, performances overseas too look promising. The younger crop of players led by Mustafizur, are ready to give everything and have embraced a new philosophy of playing aggressive cricket.
Mustafizur will next be seen in action for the Dhaka Dynamites, in the upcoming T20 Bangladesh Premier League.