Mustafizur Rahman picked up four for 37 on Test debut © AFP
Mustafizur Rahman was the talk of the town after he took back-to-back five-wicket hauls against India in two One-Day Internationals (ODIs) to seal a series win for Bangladesh. He was not that prolific in the ODI series win against South Africa but kept up his form of taking wickets at regular intervals. Bangladesh picked him in the Test XI ahead of Rubel Hossain. In the first Test at Chittagong, Mustafizur had South Africa all at sea with a brilliant spell and justified his selection to continue his dream run in international cricket. Nikhil Popat describes how the Bangladesh pacer beat South Africa all ends up in an over that Bangladesh fans will remember.
It is said that it is at times easier to get to top than staying there. If you had asked Mustafizur Rahman a couple of months back that in a month’s time he would be the next big star of Bangladesh cricket, he would have laughed it off; anyone would have done so. Mustafizur picked up 13 wickets from three ODIs against India. He was good in the one-dayers against South Africa. No one would have blamed him for falling into the trap of early success. He was picked to make his Test debut; over Rubel Hossain, an experienced player for the first Test against South Africa at Chittagong. Rubel can reverse swing the ball at pace, but Bangladesh took a punt; it came off for them. Read: Mustafizur Rahman takes five wickets on ODI debut, becomes 10th man to do so
South Africa elected to bat first and put up 104 runs in the first session. Bangladesh did not bowl to good lines and lengths. They came back superbly in the second session, bowling 29 overs for a mere 61. They picked up two quick wickets in the session to put the visitors under pressure, but needed to something bigger — a blow that would wreck the middle-order. South Africa were playing the waiting game by going on the defensive, but at times it back fires and it did in the most dangerous ways for South Africa. LIVE UPDATES: Bangladesh vs South Africa, 1st Test at Chittagong, Day 1
After tea, Mustafizur was brought onto bowl. His figures at the start of the over read 12-4-30-0. There was criticism over his selection in the first couple of sessions. He was trying to unleash those lethal cutters, and in an effort to do the same, he perhaps went a tad overboard. Athar Ali Khan was right in saying on air that he could not afford to expose his weapon that easily to the world. Someone must have had a word with him during the break. The first ball after the interval was a normal ball from a pace bowler. Mustafizur was tempted to try the cutter once and almost had Hashim Amla, who closed the face of the bat too early and got a leading edge towards cover.
The first ball of his next over was a slider outside off. Amla played an uncharacteristic waft and was caught behind. He was probably expecting the ball to come in. South Africa, having lost their captain, went on the defensive. Out came JP Duminy, Rahman has had success before against left-handers. He often got the ball to curve in nicely into them, and did exactly that to Duminy: JP tried to clip one off his stumps by shuffling across; a loud appeal ensued, but he was not given. It looked plumb, Bangladesh reviewed and it was over-turned. Suddenly South Africa were 173 for 5 from 136 for 1.
Quinton de Kock was to come in and face the hat-trick ball. Mustafizur was no stranger to de Kock. The first ball was full from Rahman, and de Kock kept it out. Mustafizur ran in and bowled a quick one on the stumps; de Kock was late on his push and his off stump went cart-wheeling. Bangladesh had roared back into the game. The crowd went into a frenzy. Bangladesh were not wearing green but South Africa would have seen them wearing it. The intensity, the thrill, the aggression back for Bangladesh. LIVE SCORECARD: Bangladesh vs South Africa, 1st Test at Chittagong, Day 1
In a single over Mustafizur had broken the back of South Africa’s batting. With no AB de Villiers, the middle-order had to step up but they blew it all up. Seldom have Bangladesh been able to pick wickets in clusters while playing in whites. Mustafizur did it with his spell that read an astonishing 4-2-6-3!
South Africa were bowled out for a score of 248. it was Mustafizur who had Temba Bavuma caught at deep mid-wicket after Bavuma had scored his maiden Test fifty. Bavuma was the lone warrior for South Africa, but fell for the short ball; Mustafizur ended with figures of 17.4-6-37-4!
Mustafizur has had a short career so far. It has not even taken off, but he has already made a mark in the international arena. Despite not looking threatening Mustafizur has taken all by surprise; there is something about him that is working; this spell from him will be remembered by many fans who will for now not worry about the future and enjoy the best phase of cricket for Bangladesh!
(Nikhil Popat is a cricket lover and a PotterHead. He can be followed on Twitter @CricCrazyNIKS)