Mustafizur Rahman, the left-arm pace sensation from Bangladesh, has been making headlines with his exceptional performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Playing for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Mustafizur has quickly become a key player.

Bangladesh Cricket Board on Rahman

Recently, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) made a significant decision to extend his stay in the IPL by one more day, allowing him to play in the crucial match against Punjab Kings on May 1st. This move has been seen as a strategic decision by BCB, balancing national commitments with the bowler’s current form and exposure on the international stage.

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Mustafizur’s Impact at Chennai Super Kings

Since joining CSK, Mustafizur Rahman has been a revelation, claiming 10 wickets in just 5 matches. His ability to deliver in critical moments has not only earned him accolades but also bolstered CSK’s bowling line-up. Mustafizur’s unique bowling style, characterized by lethal cutters and subtle variations in pace, has puzzled many batsmen this season, making him a valuable asset for his team.

BCB’s Decision to Extend IPL Stay

Originally, Mustafizur was granted a no-objection certificate by BCB to participate in the IPL until April 30. However, recognizing his crucial role at CSK and his form, the board decided to extend this period to include the May 1st game against Punjab Kings. A BCB official explained that this extension is part of a broader strategy to manage the player’s workload ahead of the T20 World Cup, ensuring he remains in peak condition.

Implications for CSK’s Upcoming Matches

With Mustafizur available for the May 1st clash, CSK can maintain their bowling strategy, which heavily relies on his early and late overs’ efficiency. His presence is especially crucial against a strong side like Punjab Kings, where his expertise in handling pressure situations could prove decisive.

Mustafizur’s Return and Commitments

Following his extended IPL stint, Mustafizur is scheduled to return to Bangladesh on May 2. His return is timely as it precedes the T20 series against Zimbabwe, starting on May 3. The BCB has expressed its intent not to release him for further matches in the IPL season, prioritizing his rest and preparation for the upcoming World Cup.

Bangladesh’s T20I Strategy and Future Fixtures

Looking ahead, Bangladesh is set to play a three-match T20I series against the USA from May 21-25. This series is part of their preparation for the T20 World Cup, with matches scheduled in the USA. Bangladesh has limited experience playing in American conditions, having participated in only two T20Is there before, both against the West Indies in Florida in 2018.

Mushfiqur Rahim hit the quickest century by a Bangladeshi player before downpour constrained the second one-day worldwide against Ireland to be cancelled on Monday.

Mushfiqur beat Shakib Al Hasan’s 2009 record of 63 balls against Zimbabwe to reach his ninth century

It helped Bangladesh win the first game of the three-game series on Saturday with a record total of 349-6, beating the previous record of 338-8. The arrival of rain shortly after Bangladesh’s innings necessitated the game’s cancellation by officials.

“Mushfiqur has been in good touch and, even in the last game, his 40-plus knock helped us to a 300-plus total. Today, he was at his best. I have never seen any Bangladeshi batter scoring a century, coming after 30 overs. It was a great treat for the eyes.”

teammate Liton Das said.

Bangladesh’s first batsmen, Liton Das (70) and Najmul Hossain (73) combined for a 101-run second-wicket stand after losing captain Tamim Iqbal for 23.

Graham Hume, a paceman from Ireland, followed up his 4-60 in the first ODI with a 3-58, igniting a mini-collapse that left Bangladesh at 190-4 before Mushfiqur took over.

He and Towhid Hridoy, who scored 92 runs in the opening match, added 228 runs from 78 deliveries. When Hridoy fell behind on 49, he narrowly missed out on his second fifty in a row.

Bangladesh added 108 runs in the final ten overs, led by Mushfiqur, who hit 14 fours and two sixes.

Thursday’s game is the series’ third and decisive one.

Mushfiqur Rahim, Yasir Ali and Taskin Ahmed have returned to Bangladesh’s squad for the first Test against India starting in Chattogram on December 14, while left-hand batter Zakir Hasan has been given his maiden call-up. Mushfiqur had missed Bangladesh’s previous Test series in West Indies to perform Hajj, while Yasir and Taskin were injured.

Zakir, 24, made it to the 17-member side after scoring 173 for Bangladesh A in the first four-day game against India A in Cox’s Bazar last week. His innings helped Bangladesh A draw the game despite being nine down and on the verge of an innings defeat. Zakir, a top-order batter who keeps wickets, was also the highest run-scorer – 442 at 56.25 – in this season’s National Cricket League, Bangladesh’s first-class competition. “Zakir has been on our radar for the last five years,” Bangladesh’s chief selector Minhajul Abedin said. “He was in the High-Performance unit for four of those years, and this season he was the highest scorer in first-class cricket.

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Mushfiqur, Yasir Ali, and Taskin have returned for Test squad

He played a good knock against India A last week. It saved the game. Selector Abdur Razzak, with the Bangladesh A side, witnessed the game and it seems Zakir is prepared for the highest level.” Tamim Iqbal, who missed the ODI series with a groin injury. Mosaddek Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman were the high-profile names missing from the Test squad. It is understood that Tamim’s recovery could take until December 22. Which could put him in doubt for the second Test starting on December 22 in Mirpur.

Mushfiqur’s return, however, is a huge boost for Bangladesh. While Yasir comes back to the Test format after a long layoff following the injury he suffered during the tour of South Africa in March and April. The hosts have picked five fast bowlers in their squad. Along with the regulation three spinners in Shakib, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam. The real battle, however, will be for top-order spots. Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mominul Haque are out of form. While Najmul Hossain Shanto’s spot is also shaky after scoring just one half-century this year. The middle order looks stable with Mushfiqur, Shakib and Litton taking their usual places.

Mushfiqur Rahim retirement, After owing to their crashing defeat against Sri Lanka in the last group stage match of the Asia Cup. Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim has decided to retire from the T20Is and wants to shift his entire focus on Test and One Day Internationals. Rahim who is one of the stalwarts of Pakistan and has been one of their prominent figures. Made his  T20I debut against Zimbabwe at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium on November 28, 2006.

The Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman has always been well-known for his antics behind the stumps and how chatty he is. With the workload ahead of him, Rahim has now decided that he is done with 16 years long T20I cricket with the Bangladesh team. The Shakib Al Hasan-led Bangladesh team was touted as one of the favorites to win the Asia Cup. Always had the upper hand against Sri Lanka as far as the multi-nation tournaments are considered.

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Wicket-keeper batsman Mushfique Rahim announces retirement after the game against Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka registered a change in their fortunes and Bangladesh went crashing out of the tournament along with Hong Kong. Rahim with the bat as he scored only 5 runs in 2 matches of the ongoing Aisa Cup. The 35-year-old Bangladesh player could inflict only 1 dismissal in the two games he played for Bangladesh.

Rahim first burst onto the international arena when he was handed over the Test cap of Bangladesh. And took the field against England at Lord’s on May 26, 2005. Plagued with an ankle injury, Mushfiqur had to wait for yet another year before he could be. Recalled into the side for his T20I debut against Zimbabwe. Since then he has been a prominent figure for Bangladesh in all three formats.

“I would like to announce my retirement from T20 Internationals and focus on Test and ODI formats of the game. I will be available to play in franchise leagues when the opportunity arrives. Looking forward to proudly representing my nation in the two formats-MR15”. Said Rahim in his tweet as he announced his retirement from the shortest format of the game.

While Bangladesh Cricket is often sees Shakib Al Hasan as the best player they have produced, Mushfiqur Rahim’s contribution tends to go slightly off radar, despite being equally important. Over the years, Mushfiqur Rahim has seen the all the highs and lows in the Bangladesh team. He was one of the half-centurions when Bangladesh completed their greatest win at that time against India, in the 2007 World Cup.

He oversaw, their struggles in Test Cricket, defeats overseas and lack of their lack of Test matches from the late 2000s to 2010s. He has seen and almost been apart of each significant moment in Bangladesh Cricket. Even recently, when Shakib Al Hasan was banned, and later taking a break from Test Cricket and when Tamim Iqbal took a break from T20 Cricket, Mushfiqur Rahim continued to fight for the Bangladesh side, sticking to the team. While Shakib Al Hasan took the laurels for his performance in the World Cup, Mushfiqur Rahim silently supported, and had a brilliant World Cup of his own, highlighting his role as a rare, flashy, but undervalued star in the side.

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Over his career, he has led the side, batted all over the middle order, kept wickets, and at the age of 35, Mushfiqur Rahim finally seems to be getting the due he deserves. Along with Shakib Al Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza, Mahmudullah and Tamim Iqbal, he is easily one of the best cricketers produced in the nation, and recent numbers are showing why.

He has recently gone past 5000 Test runs, beating Tamim Iqbal and becoming the first Bangladesh Cricketer to reach the milestone. Along with all his Test runs, Mushfiqur Rahim has five scores beyond 150 in the format, and recently was a part of the famous Test win in New Zealand. The win in New Zealand is a prime example of how Mushfiqur Rahim has seen it all in Bangladesh Cricket. He lost in the nation with big names like Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal in the side over the years, but with none of them around, and with little contribution from himself, he was a part of one of the most historic wins for Bangladesh.

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He has been termed in his nation as a little Don Bradman, and is truly living up to the tag of the Nation’s Little Master. Even in the recent Test, Mushfiqur Rahim walked in with half the side gone in the first 45 minutes of the Test. He joined hands with Litton Das, the future of Bangladesh Cricket, and shared a massive partnership to put his name in the history books for yet another reason. The partnership saw Mushfiqur Rahim get to 175 as he helped save the team, and took them to a winning position.

While Mushfiqur Rahim’s career has seen emotional defeats, angry moments, teammates getting banned, struggles with captaincy and personal inconsistencies, Rahim is finally reaping the rewards. He is seeing Bangladesh go higher and higher now, and is a huge factor in their rise, having oversaw all the moments that have occurred over the last decade. At 35, Mushfiqur Rahim’s batting has turned another corner, and only he can decide how much more he would like to see with the Bangladesh Cricket Team.