Home ›› 04 Feb 2022 ›› Sport
Afghanistan off-spinner Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman is hopeful about his team’s performance in the upcoming one-day international and Twenty20 International series against Bangladesh as the conditions are very favourable for spinners.
Mujeeb is currently playing for Fortune Barishal in the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League, where he has picked five wickets in three matches so far. In his last game for the franchise, Mujeeb picked three wickets for only nine runs in his four overs at Chattogram.
Bangladesh have played eight ODI matches against Afghanistan so far and will be playing three more later this month as a part of the ICC Men’s World Cup Super League. As per the latest statement from the Bangladesh Cricket Board CEO, the ODI series will take place in Chattogram’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, where Mujeeb wreaked havoc with his off-spin in his latest BPL match.
The 21-year-old spinner is confident about continuing Afghanistan’s winning run as the team have good spinners on board.
“We have played a lot of series here (in Bangladesh). My bowling so far is very economical in BPL. After the BPL we have a series against Bangladesh here. We are usually happy to see the wickets in Asia. Especially the wickets in Dhaka, Chattogram or Sylhet will be good for us,” said Mujeeb.
Mujeeb has vast experience of playing in Bangladesh. He toured Bangladesh as a part of the age-group team before rising to prominence and played in the previous editions of the BPL as well.
Bangladesh currently sit second in the points table of the ICC Men’s World Cup Super League with 80 points from 12 matches, whilst Afghanistan have earned 60 points from their six wins so far.
A clean sweep will help Afghanistan leapfrog the Tigers and reach 90 points, which Mujeeb is eyeing.
“Every team will be needing points. Both teams will try to win all three matches, as we are struggling,” Mujeeb told the reporters at the BCB Academy ground after a practice session with Barishal.
Not only Mujeeb, cricketers like Qais Ahmed, Fazalhaq Farooqi, who were part of the ODI team against Netherlands in Afghanistan’s most recent series, are also playing in the ongoing BPL.
Spinners like Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi will also be part of the ODI team in the upcoming series, which could be very difficult for Bangladesh.
“Rashid, me, and Nabi- we have many spinners with good variations,” said Mujeeb.
He also said that Bangladesh spinners are also good but the Afghan ones pose an enigma.
“Bangladesh spinners are really good. Like Shakib. But we are leg-spinners or like mystery spinners,” Mujeeb told the reporters.
The Afghan cricket team is scheduled to arrive on February 12 in Dhaka for the series but before that, players like Mujeeb, Qais, and Fazalhuq are having a chance to adapt themselves to the conditions which could be costly for Bangladesh.
