The Tale of Mustafizur Rahman: Between Glory and the Allure of Modern Cricket

On a memorable evening in Mirpur, a vociferous crowd witnessed history as a young boy from Satkhira, Mustafizur Rahman, etched his name into cricketing folklore. It was June 18, 2015, the same date that had once seen Bangladesh stun Australia at Cardiff a decade earlier. This time, however, the victims were a full-strength Indian side, humbled by the magic of Mustafizur on his ODI debut. The young left-armer’s unplayable cutters and deceptive variations flummoxed the Indian batting order, earning him a remarkable five-wicket haul—a feat only his compatriot Taskin Ahmed had achieved before him on debut. 

Throughout that series and beyond, Mustafizur continued to dazzle. His spellbinding performances against South Africa, particularly in the Chittagong Test, confirmed that he was not merely a one-series wonder but a generational talent. On that fateful day in Chittagong, the world’s top-ranked Test team collapsed dramatically under the weight of his lethal deliveries. His ability to dismiss three class players—Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, and JP Duminy—in one over showcased a bowler of exceptional skill and temperament. Mustafiz wasn’t just good; he had the makings of one of the all-time great left-arm pacers. 

Yet, in the years that followed, Mustafiz’s trajectory began to align with cricket’s newest paradigm—the franchise-driven, fast-paced world of Twenty20 cricket. While his performances in leagues like the IPL garnered global attention, a deeper question emerged: would the glittering lure of T20 cricket steer Mustafiz away from the longer formats, where legends are truly forged? 

The Allure and the Cost of T20 Leagues 

There is no denying the appeal of T20 cricket. It is quick, glamorous, and immensely profitable, offering players global recognition in the blink of an eye. Mustafiz’s success in the IPL, where his cutters became the talk of the tournament, catapulted him into the global spotlight. Franchise teams in England, Australia, and beyond began vying for his services. Bangladeshi fans, long starved of global heroes, embraced his rise with unbridled enthusiasm. 

However, as a cricket romantic, I find myself torn. T20 leagues, for all their excitement, rarely mold players into enduring legends. Cricketing immortality is not achieved through quick bursts of brilliance but through sustained excellence in the crucible of Test cricket. The likes of Viv Richards, Imran Khan, Brian Lara, and Wasim Akram are remembered not for their exploits in short-format cricket but for their ability to dominate the game’s most challenging format. 

The experience of senior West Indian players in T20 leagues serves as a cautionary tale. While stars like Chris Gayle and Andre Russell have achieved phenomenal success in franchise cricket, the West Indies' decline in Test cricket has been stark and painful. Their prowess in T20 leagues has done little to revive the fortunes of their national team, a stark reminder that T20 cricket, for all its glamour, cannot replace the foundational rigors of first-class cricket. 

The Crucible of First-Class Cricket 

Mustafizur’s immense talent deserves a stage where it can be nurtured and refined. Unfortunately, T20 leagues, with their emphasis on instant results, offer little room for the kind of technical and mental growth that first-class cricket fosters. The likes of Kumar Sangakkara and Ajinkya Rahane understood this well. Sangakkara chose the grind of County Cricket to elevate his game, while Rahane turned to the Ranji Trophy to rediscover his form. These formats test a cricketer’s patience, resilience, and adaptability—qualities essential for success at the highest level. 

For Mustafizur, a stint in County Cricket could be transformative. The exposure to different conditions, coupled with mentorship from seasoned coaches and players, would help him evolve into a more complete bowler. Shakib Al Hasan’s time at Worcestershire in 2010 is a testament to how such experiences can elevate a player’s game. Shakib returned from County Cricket as a more mature and versatile cricketer, and the same could be true for Mustafiz. 

The Road Ahead 

As Mustafiz continues to dazzle in T20 leagues, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and his well-wishers face a critical responsibility: to ensure that his talent is not confined to the shortest format. He must be encouraged to embrace the challenges of Test and first-class cricket, where his legacy can truly take shape. A bowler of Mustafizur’s calibre deserves to be remembered not as a T20 specialist but as one of the game’s all-time greats. 

Test cricket remains the ultimate yardstick of greatness. While T20 cricket may provide the fireworks, it is in the marathon of five-day cricket that true legends are forged. Players like Viv Richards and Graeme Pollock continue to be revered not because of their T20 exploits but because they excelled in the format that demanded the most from them. 

For Mustafizur Rahman, the path to immortality lies not in the glittering arenas of franchise cricket but in the quiet, grinding fields of first-class cricket. It is my fervent hope that he chooses this path, for it is only then that he can fulfil his immense potential and secure his place among the pantheon of cricketing greats.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar   

To Become The Best, County Cricket Still Remains The Best Option

 

Bangladeshi cricket fans are eagerly awaiting the chance to see their two cricketing icons—Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal—compete in the upcoming Caribbean Premier League (CPL) starting July 30. Shakib, a dynamic all-rounder, will represent Barbados under the leadership of West Indian power-player Kieron Pollard, while the ever-resilient Tamim will don the Saint Lucia colours, captained by the charismatic Darren Sammy.

For many, the CPL represents an exciting showcase of cricketing skill, but as alluring as these leagues are, there are concerns regarding their impact on developing the skill, temperament, and resilience essential for a sustainable international career—especially for players from emerging cricket nations like Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. For such teams, the focus on longer-format cricket is often regarded as crucial to foster well-rounded, seasoned players capable of handling the pressures of top-tier competition. Thus, while franchise leagues may offer substantial financial incentives and exposure, they do not necessarily nurture the foundational strengths of a cricketer. Instead, if Bangladeshi players were to secure opportunities to play more first-class cricket, particularly in England's county circuit, they could experience a more transformative journey toward cricketing excellence.

The county circuit, rich with history and tradition, provides a structured environment that rigorously tests a player’s technical proficiency, adaptability, and mental strength. The testing pitches and varying weather conditions demand adjustments to a batsman’s patience and a bowler’s persistence, ensuring that every match presents an opportunity for growth. Playing in the county championships has famously helped cricketers hone their craft, turning promising players into consistent performers on the world stage. In recent years, however, a trend toward shorter-format leagues has left fewer modern players interested in the commitment and intensity required by county cricket.

From Bangladesh's perspective, a robust season with a first-division county team could be transformative. Domestic cricket in Bangladesh has been hindered by logistical issues and a lack of competitive matches, potentially fostering complacency rather than growth. Engaging in county cricket would provide Bangladeshi players with a higher level of competition and regular, quality gameplay, which is critical for their development. This environment could benefit players like Shakib, and Tamim, or even promising talents such as Nasir Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Anamul Haque, should they secure opportunities to play in this esteemed setting.

Shakib’s past stint with Worcestershire in 2010 exemplifies how county cricket can shape a cricketer’s potential into tangible achievements. Worcestershire, reeling from a winless 2009 season and relegation to Division 2, sought Shakib to invigorate the squad. Joining the ranks of cricket legends like Imran Khan, Ian Botham, and Kapil Dev, who had previously played for Worcestershire, Shakib did not disappoint. He began his campaign with a composed 90 against Derbyshire and later blasted a brisk 72 against the Unicorns in a limited-overs game. His all-around prowess was evident across formats, as he amassed 398 runs in eight first-class matches and added 187 more in just five limited-overs appearances.

Yet it was Shakib’s bowling that truly dazzled. His skilful left-arm spin consistently stifled opponents; a standout performance of 8 for 102 against Gloucestershire underscored his versatility and impact. His 7 for 23 against Middlesex and 4 for 32 against Glamorgan in one-day games cemented him as a vital asset for Worcestershire that season. Shakib’s 35 wickets in eight first-class games and nine in limited overs underscored his adaptability to county cricket’s demanding conditions. His record-breaking efforts played a pivotal role in Worcestershire’s eventual promotion to Division 1—a feat that would have been unimaginable at the start of the season.

The tenacity and adaptability Shakib honed in county cricket undoubtedly shaped him into the world-class all-rounder who remains Bangladesh’s lynchpin. Sadly, his involvement with county teams since then has been limited to T20 leagues, a trend also observed with Tamim. The focus on shorter formats may limit the growth of talents who would otherwise thrive in the discipline of county championships, forging greater consistency and resilience.

County cricket’s rich history of producing cricketing stalwarts attests to its developmental benefits, which players from Bangladesh could greatly benefit from. Nasir, Mushfiqur, and Anamul, too, could gain valuable insights and skill improvements by experiencing the rigours of a full county season. Such exposure could bolster Bangladesh’s core and cultivate a future generation of cricketers adept at the technical and mental demands of international cricket.

In today’s cricketing landscape, while franchise leagues provide fame and fortune, it is through the long, unglamorous grind of county cricket that a player’s mettle is truly tested and refined. For Bangladeshi players, it remains a pathway not only to personal excellence but to a more competitive national team.

 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

The Decline of Batting Resilience: A Modern-Day Crisis

In recent times, we have witnessed a disturbing trend in cricket, with top-class teams collapsing for embarrassing totals like 47 and 49. The debacles in South Africa this year, where batsmen struggled to cope with the ball’s movement off the seam and in the air, highlight a troubling shift in the mental approach of modern-day batters. While the bowling conditions were undoubtedly challenging, the deliveries were not unplayable. The root of the issue lies not in technique alone but in the changing temperament of today’s cricketers.  

It seems that the art of crease occupation – the backbone of traditional Test batting – is gradually fading. Modern batsmen, conditioned by the demands of limited-overs cricket and Twenty20 leagues, are increasingly prioritizing run-scoring at a frenetic pace. This eagerness to accumulate runs at four or more per over leaves little room for patience and discipline. As a result, essential skills such as soft hands, precise footwork, and adaptability are being neglected, leaving batsmen vulnerable in challenging conditions.  

The ability to knuckle down, weather the storm, and grind out an innings – traits exemplified by legends like Hanif Mohammad, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar – seems to have been consigned to cricket’s history books. In the current cricketing landscape, cash-rich leagues such as the IPL (Indian Premier League) and Big Bash League (BBL) dominate, offering glamour, fame, and financial rewards. While these leagues have brought excitement and spectacle to the game, they have inadvertently contributed to the erosion of batting patience and resilience.  

T20’s Influence on Test Batting  

Since the late 1970s and early 1980s, limited-overs cricket has become an integral part of the sport. It reached its pinnacle in the 1990s and soon gave birth to the adrenaline-fueled T20 format. While the advent of T20 brought new audiences and commercial opportunities, it also altered the batting approach fundamentally. Batsmen today are groomed to score quickly, often at the expense of building an innings. This mindset is now trickling into Test cricket, where aggression is too often mistaken for intent, and occupation of the crease is undervalued.  

This shift is particularly evident when one considers the absence of the legendary duels that once defined cricket’s golden age. Encounters like Michael Atherton’s defiant stand against Allan Donald, Brian Lara’s masterful dismantling of Wasim Akram, and Steve Waugh’s dogged resistance to Curtly Ambrose are etched in cricket’s folklore. These contests were about mental endurance as much as skill, battles that unfolded over sessions, not overs. But today, the appetite for such attritional cricket is waning.  

The Decline of County Cricket  

The decline of county cricket as a developmental platform for international cricketers has further exacerbated the problem. During the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, playing county cricket was considered essential for honing one’s skills and mastering the art of adaptation. Some of the greatest cricketers – including Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Viv Richards, and Javed Miandad – refined their techniques and mental toughness through long stints in English county cricket. It was a crucible for growth, offering players exposure to varying conditions, bowlers, and styles of play.  

However, in the modern era, the focus has shifted. County cricket no longer holds the same allure for contemporary players, many of whom prioritize franchise leagues over long-form cricket. With international schedules becoming increasingly congested, the space to pursue county stints has diminished. This loss is significant, as county cricket nurtures patience and the ability to adapt – two attributes that are now conspicuously absent in many modern-day batsmen.  

A Crisis of Priorities  

For today’s cricketers, the challenge lies in recalibrating their priorities. While T20 leagues offer quick riches and instant fame, the path to cricketing greatness lies in mastering the demands of Test cricket. If players aspire to leave a legacy comparable to that of Brian Lara, Steve Waugh, or Wasim Akram, they must be willing to invest in the longer format and embrace county cricket as a stepping stone to excellence.  

The question, however, is whether the ideal balance between formats is achievable. Given the relentless cricketing calendar and the lure of franchise leagues, this balance seems increasingly elusive. Yet, the choice ultimately rests with the players. They must decide whether they want to chase short-term rewards or pursue the kind of greatness that comes from excelling in Test cricket.  

In the end, the essence of Test cricket lies not in flashy stroke play but in endurance, patience, and grit – qualities that need to be rediscovered and nurtured. The old-fashioned art of occupying the crease may appear dull in the era of fast-paced cricket, but it remains the most reliable strategy to succeed in challenging conditions. Until the modern-day batsman rediscovers this art, collapses like those in South Africa will continue to haunt the sport.  

Test cricket has survived many challenges, from the rise of one-day cricket to the explosion of T20 leagues. But its survival depends on players willing to adapt, endure, and thrive in the long form of the game. Only then can we hope to witness the kind of epic duels and heroic innings that once defined the spirit of cricket. 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Shakib Al Hasan: Pioneering Bangladesh's Path in County Cricket

County Cricket offers an invaluable platform for cricketers to hone their craft. The challenging conditions, from unpredictable weather to variable wickets, test every facet of a player's technique, temperament, and resilience. Over decades, this system has moulded many of the sport’s legends, transforming raw talent into refined greatness. Names like Sir Garfield Sobers, Imran Khan, Viv Richards, Ian Botham, Allan Donald, Wasim Akram, and Sourav Ganguly shine brightly in cricketing history, and each left an indelible mark on County Cricket as both a proving ground and a platform for personal evolution. Their time in County Cricket not only enriched their individual skills but also contributed significantly to their success at the international level.

For Bangladesh, a nation whose journey in Test cricket has been one of gradual progress, the influence of County Cricket had remained elusive for a long time. Despite the growing pool of talent, no Bangladeshi cricketer had ventured into this prestigious circuit—until 2009, when the winds of change began to blow. That year, Worcestershire, a team steeped in history yet struggling through a dismal season, reached out to none other than Shakib Al Hasan. In 2009, Shakib had already made a name for himself by being named Wisden Cricketer of the Year and achieving the distinction of being the world's top-ranked ODI all-rounder, while also being among the elite Test bowlers. His reputation as a fierce competitor preceded him, and Worcestershire, in their hour of need, extended an invitation that Shakib graciously accepted.

Worcestershire's situation was dire. The proud county, which had tasted success five times between 1964 and 1989, was now staring down the ignominy of relegation to Division 2 after failing to win a single match during the 2009 season. Historically, Worcestershire had relied on giants like Imran Khan, Ian Botham, and Kapil Dev to lead them to glory. Now, they needed another talisman to spark a revival—enter Shakib.

The Shakib Impact

Shakib’s arrival for the 2010 season was met with high expectations, and he delivered early on. In his first first-class match against Derbyshire, Shakib made a statement with a commanding 90. In the 40-over format, he followed up with a brisk 72 against the Unicorns, demonstrating his ability to dominate in different formats. However, his bat soon fell silent, with inconsistency plaguing the rest of his County stint. Despite the modest returns with the bat—398 runs in eight first-class matches and 187 in five limited-overs games—it was with the ball that Shakib truly made his mark.

Shakib’s left-arm orthodox spin became a thorn in the side of opposition batsmen. In his first match, he picked up 3 for 94 against Derbyshire, and his best came against Gloucestershire, where he grabbed 5 for 23, amassing match figures of 8 for 102. These were the best bowling figures for Worcestershire that season. In another notable display, Shakib tore through Middlesex with stunning figures of 7 for 23, setting the season’s benchmark for individual bowling performances.

In total, Shakib collected 35 wickets in eight first-class matches, while in the limited-overs format, he bagged nine wickets from five matches, with an economy and average that ranked second-best for his side. Remarkably, despite his short stint, Shakib’s performances ranked among the top for Worcestershire, underscoring his immense impact in the few opportunities he had. 

Shakib’s presence on the field was not just about statistics; it was about revitalizing a side that had lost its way. Worcestershire's rise back to Division 1 was a collective effort, yet Shakib’s influence—especially with the ball—was instrumental. In their final match against Surrey, a hard-fought victory symbolized the club’s resurgence, and while Shakib did not star in that game, his earlier efforts helped ensure their survival in the top tier.

Shakib Al Hasan’s County journey was more than just a learning experience; it was a testament to his ability to rise to the occasion, even in the face of adversity. County Cricket's demanding environment pushed him to evolve, sharpening his skills and deepening his understanding of the game. For Bangladesh, Shakib’s foray into County Cricket signified a crucial step forward. Playing in unfamiliar, testing conditions, and thriving, was an experience that would only bolster his already formidable cricketing prowess. 

The skills Shakib honed in County Cricket - his mastery of the ball, the resilience built from playing on difficult pitches, and his exposure to high-pressure scenarios—were assets he would bring back to Bangladesh cricket. His journey symbolized the symbiotic relationship between individual excellence and collective progress, and there was no doubt that Shakib Al Hasan, in the prime of his career, was on course to bring joy to the millions who followed his every move. Through County Cricket, Shakib had not only elevated his own game but had also taken a giant stride in lifting Bangladesh cricket to new heights.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar