Melbourne Renegades will be looking to play Mustafizur Rahman in their game against Sydney Sixers on December 22, instead of in the opening match of their BBL 16 series.
The Bangladesh speedster will report in after his ILT20 engagements and will be available for the middle game as long as the tournament goes on.
His signing is a solution to a particular issue for Melbourne – they’re without a left arm down the track for the final over. Renegades general manager Max Abbott said that Mustafizur had been on the club’s watch from the beginning and his death bowling was an ideal fit.
Mustafizur’s slower delivery and variations are a big part of the attraction. Abbott also believes that the bowler will attract attention from Australian fans, given his regular appearances in international tournaments. He has amassed over 400 wickets in T20 cricket and is popularly called “The Fizz”.
So have the Renegades, as they’ve already put in the groundwork for his return. They will host a “Fizz Bay” area for Bangladeshi people at home matches at the MCG on January 1 and 16.
The deal is Mustafizur’s debut in the Big Bash League. He was thrilled to be a part of the Renegades and to play at the MCG. He will be the third Bangladeshi to be in the competition after Shakib Al Hasan and Rishad Hossain.
The Renegades’ first game will be against Chennai, but Mustafizur is likely to sit out the match due to the ILT20 clash.
His eventual arrival should provide Melbourne with a specialist at the death and a new link with the club’s local Bangladeshi fans.