Young fast bowler Musfik Hasan stands on the doorstep of a dream. For any Bangladeshi pacer, the opportunity to bowl in Australia’s pace-friendly conditions is nothing short of a dream, and Mushfik now has that chance within reach.
Musfik had previously earned a call-up to Bangladesh’s Test squad but did not get the opportunity to make his debut. Injuries also robbed him of valuable time during the early stages of his career. Having overcome those setbacks, the right-arm pacer has rediscovered his rhythm and showcased the talent that first earned him recognition.
Bangladesh U-23 head coach and former fast bowler Alamgir Kabir, who has closely monitored Musfik’s development, is eager to see him perform on Australian soil. He also believes the youngster can, to some extent, compensate for the absence of Nahid Rana.
“I’ve been watching him since he was 17. He’s energetic, capable of bowling long spells, and he has genuine pace. He had opportunities before but perhaps never got the chance to play a match. Since he’s been taken to Australia, I believe he’ll do well there. That’s why I feel that, even if he can’t completely fill Nahid Rana’s void, he can come quite close,” Alamgir said.
At the same time, Alamgir acknowledged that replacing an “express pacer” like Nahid Rana is never an easy task.
“Maybe he won’t be able to fully replace Nahid Rana, but I believe he’ll produce something special.”
With his energy, pace and enthusiasm, Musfik Hasan could emerge as Bangladesh’s surprise package in Australia. His unfamiliarity to the Australian batters could also make him an “out-of-the-box” factor. For now, the young pacer is simply waiting for his opportunity to arrive.
