Mustafizur Rahman will make history as the first Bangladeshi to feature in England’s domestic tournament, The Hundred, after being acquired by Birmingham Phoenix in the player draft. Out of two Bangladeshi players in the final draft list, Mustafizur was selected while Rishad Hossain missed out. The question arises: why did Birmingham show particular interest in him?
Extensive Franchise Experience
Mustafizur is no stranger to franchise cricket. Although this is his first appearance in The Hundred, he has already played in high-profile leagues including the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL). In the most recent IPL auction, Kolkata Knight Riders purchased him for a staggering ₹9.2 crore. However, due to threats from extremist groups, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) granted him release from the IPL on 3 January. Following that, he was signed directly by PSL side Lahore Qalandars.
His PSL contract was valued at PKR 6.44 crore, equivalent to over BDT 2.81 crore at current exchange rates, highlighting his high market demand. Clearly, Mustafizur could have secured a place in other franchise leagues, but Birmingham had a specific strategy.
The Birmingham Connection
The driving factor behind Birmingham Phoenix’s acquisition was the long-standing rapport between Mustafizur and their coach Shane Bond. The two first worked together in 2018 during Mustafizur’s stint with Mumbai Indians in the IPL, when Bond was the team’s bowling coach.
In a video shared by ESPNcricinfo, Bond commented:
“I’ve worked with Mustafizur before. He’s a game-changing bowler. His off-spin variations and change of pace can have a huge impact on matches. He’s one of the best in this regard.”
Bond also noted that Mustafizur’s slower deliveries would be particularly effective in English conditions:
“Research shows that as the season progresses, the ball starts to turn on several English pitches. Having Mustafizur on your side will be invaluable.”
Birmingham Phoenix Squad Overview
Mustafizur will join a diverse squad featuring top players from England, Pakistan, and South Africa. The full squad and their roles are summarised below:
| Player | Country | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Jacob Bethell | England | Batsman |
| Rehan Ahmed | England | All-rounder |
| Donovan Ferreira | South Africa | Fast bowler |
| Mitchell Owen | England | Fast bowler |
| Sakib Mahmud | Bangladesh | All-rounder |
| Usman Tariq | Pakistan | All-rounder |
| Joe Clarke | England | Batsman |
| Will Smith | England | Wicketkeeper-batsman |
| Jordan Thompson | England | Batsman |
| Scott Curry | England | All-rounder |
| Laurie Evans | England | Batsman |
| Chris Woakes | England | Fast bowler |
| Ethan Brooks | England | All-rounder |
| Mustafizur Rahman | Bangladesh | Pace bowler |
The fifth edition of The Hundred is set to commence on 21 July. With Mustafizur’s international and franchise experience, combined with his tactical versatility and Bond’s guidance, Birmingham Phoenix are optimistic about strengthening their bowling attack and making a significant impact in the upcoming tournament.
Mustafizur’s presence is expected to bring both tactical advantage and historical significance, marking a milestone for Bangladesh in international franchise cricket.