Mustafizur Rahman surpassed all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan in terms of wickets in the Indian Premier League among the Bangladeshi’s when he claimed 3-33 in Delhi Capitals’ six-wicket win over Punjab Kings at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Saturday night.
Despite the win, Mustafiz’s journey in this season’s IPL came to an end, as Delhi failed to qualify for the playoffs. The left-arm pacer ended his campaign with four wickets from three matches.
Mustafiz was wicketless in his opening match, during which the Gujarat Titans chased down a target of 200 runs without losing a wicket. The 29-year-old took 1-29 against the Mumbai Indians, a match Delhi lost by 59 runs, and ran out of playoff contention.
After his impressive performance, in which Mustafiz was the standout bowler for Delhi, the left-arm pacer has now claimed 65 wickets in 60 innings in the IPL, boasting an average of 28.44 and an economy rate of 8.13.
Meanwhile, Shakib, who hasn’t played in the IPL since 2021, has 63 wickets from 70 innings with an average of 29.19 and an economy rate of 7.43.
However, both Bangladeshi bowlers are not in the top 50 in terms of taking wickets in the richest cricket league in the world.
Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal currently sits at the top with 219 wickets, while no other bowler is yet to touch the 200-wicket milestone.
Mustafiz joined Delhi this season as a replacement for Australian batter Jake Fraser-McGurk when the IPL was resumed after it had been postponed due to the conflict between Pakistan and India.
The southpaw was granted the No Objection Certificate by the Bangladesh Cricket Board after playing the first T20I against the UAE on May 17. His NOC was valid until May 24, Delhi’s last match of the group stage.
The BCB had previously stated that Mustafiz would join the national team prior to the Pakistan series, regardless of Delhi’s outcome.
The Pakistan series, which was shortened to three matches, is set to start on May 28. The remaining two matches will be played on May 30 and June 1. All the matches will be held in Lahore.
Fast bowler Nahid Rana, trainer Nathan Keily and fielding coach James Pamment have pulled out from the tour, while Soumya Sarkar was ruled out due to a back injury.
All-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who is currently in Pakistan playing for Lahore Qalanders in the PSL, was called up as a replacement.
