Mustafizur wins T20I bowling performance
Bangladesh youngster Mehedi Hasan Miraz has been named the debutant of the year 2016 in the ESPNcricinfo awards.
To add to the joy of the cricket-mad Bangladesh fans, paceman Mustafizur Rahman won the T20I bowling performance of the year.
Miraz started the year brightly in the 2016 U-19 World Cup at home, registering some brilliant all-round performances as Bangladesh made it to the last four of the tournament for the first time in history. He was later adjudged player of the tournament.
The 19-year old was then included in the senior side and he wasted little time in creating an impact, posting impressive bowling figures on debut against England at home. He picked up 19 wickets in two Test matches against the visiting side.
In the process, Miraz became the first Bangladesh cricketer to bag consecutive five-wicket hauls in the first two Tests.
Previously, only six Bangladesh bowlers – Naimur Rahman, Manjural Islam, Mahmudullah, Elias Sunny, Sohag Gazi and Taijul Islam – registered five-wicket hauls on debut. However, none of them were able to grab five wickets, or for that matter four, in their second Test.
His 6/82 in an innings meant he also became the fourth spinner, after Australia’s Clarrie Grimmet, England’s Nick Cook and India’s Narendra Hirwani, to pick up consecutive five-wicket hauls in the first two Tests.
Meanwhile, Mustafizur was also rewarded for his scintillating bowling display against New Zealand in the 2016 World T20. Mustafizur had picked up 5/22 from his quota of four overs against the Kiwis.
At the end of the match, Mustafizur had 22 wickets within one year of his T20I career, tied with Dirk Nannes. Only Saeed Ajmal (26 wickets) and Ajantha Mendis (25) have taken more wickets in the first 365 days of their T20I career.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
