India assistant coach Doeschate outlines “champion” Mustafizur threat ahead of Bangladesh clash
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate isn’t underestimating Mustafizur Rahman ahead of Wednesday’s Super Fours clash in the Asia Cup. The Bangladesh star bowler could make history against India in Dubai, and Doeschate made sure to highlight the danger he brings.
Mustafizur has built a solid reputation in T20 cricket, especially through his stints in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He already holds 149 T20I wickets across 117 matches, tying him with former all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan as Bangladesh’s top wicket-taker. Just one more scalp, and he’ll join an elite group as the fourth bowler to reach 150 in the format.
Doeschate gave Mustafizur high marks, calling him Bangladesh’s standout bowler and someone the Indian team respects a lot. “Yeah, he’s a champion. He’s been around a long time. A very skillful bowler. We obviously know the skill sets that he brings. And I think for someone to do so well internationally over such a long time and obviously goes to IPL and does very well as well when he goes there,” Doeschate told reporters on Tuesday. “There are many good players on the Bangladesh side. And Mustafiz is probably their premium bowler. So yeah, we rate him high.”
That said, Mustafizur hasn’t had much luck against India so far. In 13 matches versus the T20 world champions, he’s snagged only eight wickets with an average above 57.
Things look different in this Asia Cup, though. The 30-year-old left-armer has thrived on UAE pitches, grabbing seven wickets in four games at an average of 15. His best figures? A sharp 3/20. That puts him as the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the 2023 tournament.
India’s squad features Suryakumar Yadav as captain, alongside Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson, Harshit Rana, and Rinku Singh.
Bangladesh will rely on Litton Das leading the side, with Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Tawhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Hossain, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Shaif Uddin.
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