Mustafzur expresses delight at IPL reward

Bangladesh seamer Mustafizur Rahman is happy to get the opportunity to play in the India Premier League (IPL). Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise drafted the young seamer for Rs.1.40 crore ($208,000) in the IPL auction in Bengaluru on Saturday.

Mustafizur Rahman has played 18 internationals for Bangladesh in his career so far.

Bangladesh seamer Mustafizur Rahman is happy to get the opportunity to play in the India Premier League (IPL). Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise drafted the young seamer for Rs.1.40 crore ($208,000) in the IPL auction in Bengaluru on Saturday.

When Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore were bidding to recruit the 20-year old, he was busy in front of the camera for an advertisement shooting. “It feels good. I was hoping I would get the opportunity. Everybody was saying I may be drafted this time,” Mustafizur was quoted as saying by bdnews24.com . “Shakib is doing very well (in the IPL). Mashrafe and the others have played too. It feels good that I will be playing there too."

'I just want to play'

In 2009, Kolkata Knight Riders bought Mashrafe Bin Mortaza for $600,000 while Shakib Al Hasan was drafted for $425,000 the first time. “I have nothing to say about the price. I never thought about how much I could get. I just wanted to play — that would be a big experience. I’m just happy to get the opportunity,” Mustafizur said.

Sunrisers Hyderabad have lined up a number of left-arm pacers, including Trent Boult, Ashish Nehra and Barinder Sran. Mustafizur will team up with stars like Yuvraj Singh, David Warner, Eoin Morgan, Kane Williamson and Shikhar Dhawan.

India’s batting great V.V.S. Laxman will be the team’s mentor while former Australian allrounder Tom Moody will be the coach. Earlier, Mustafiz was also drafted by the Lahore Qalandars for $50,000 in the ongoing Pakistan Super League. But he is not playing in the competition due to a shoulder injury.

The IPL will start off on April 9 after the conclusion of the World Twenty20.