NatWest T20 Blast 2016: Mustafizur Rahman shines on debut with Sussex

NatWest T20 Blast 2016: Mustafizur shines on debut with Sussex

London: Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman announced his English county debut in style, helping Sussex Sharks earn 24-run win over Essex Eagles in a NatWest T20 Blast game. The wily 20-year-old seamer grabbed four wickets giving away 23 runs from four overs at Chelmsford, reported bdnews24.com on Friday. Asked to bat first, Sussex batsmen rallied to post an imposing 200/6 at the country ground on Thursday. After skipper Luke Wright (32 off 24 balls) and Philip Salt (33 off 19 balls) laid strong foundation, some late fireworks from all-rounder Chris Jordan (21-ball 45) lifted Sussex to the total. In reply, Essex managed 176/8 as Mustafizur made the difference with his bag of tricks and was adjudged Man of the Match. Mustafizur Rahman receives visa for England

Bangladesh speedster Mustafizur Rahman has received a visa after having to wait for several days and is all set to fly to England on Wednesday morning to join county cricket team Sussex. The 20-year-old left-arm seamer got his visa on Tuesday afternoon. His flight is due to leave at 10:15 a.m. local time on Wednesday. The Bangladesh national team will begin its preliminary camp for the England series the same morning, but their pace ace will be off to that country at that time, reported bdnews24.com. Mustafizur will feature in the Natwest T20 Blast and Royal London One-Day Cup. Each of the tournaments are being played among 18 teams who are divided into two groups of nine.

Sussex will play against Essex in the T20 Blast at Chelmsford on Thursday. Taking this game into account, Mustafizur will be with the team for seven matches – considering both the tournaments – while the number will go up if Sussex qualify for the knockouts in either competition.