Mustafizur Rahman has taken another significant step towards Mitchell Starc’s all-time record for the most five-wicket hauls among left-arm pacers in ODI history, drawing level with two of the format’s greatest ever bowlers, Wasim Akram and Trent Boult with a match-defining performance against New Zealand.
Mustafizur had been absent from the series opener against New Zealand, ruled out by knee discomfort discovered just before the toss in a development that forced a last-minute reshuffle. His return for the series-deciding final match could not have been more timely. Bowling with rhythm and control, he claimed five wickets to steer Bangladesh to a 55-run victory in Chattogram and seal a historic hat-trick of series wins under captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
The performance brought an end to a lengthy personal drought. Mustafizur’s previous five-wicket hauls had come at the 2019 World Cup, where he memorably took five wickets in consecutive matches against India and Pakistan. Nearly seven years on, he has rediscovered that devastating form at the highest level.
It is worth recalling just how dramatically his ODI career began. On debut in 2015 against India, he claimed five wickets, following it up with six in his very next match, an entrance to international cricket that announced him as a truly special talent. He also added a five-wicket haul against Zimbabwe later that same year.
With his six five-wicket hauls in ODIs, Mustafizur now stands alongside Wasim Akram and Trent Boult in the all-time rankings for left-arm pacers. What makes his achievement all the more remarkable is the efficiency with which he has reached this landmark. Wasim required 351 innings to accumulate his six five-wicket hauls. Boult needed 114. Mustafizur has matched them in just 118 innings.
The only left-arm pacer ahead of him is Mitchell Starc, who holds the record outright with nine five-wicket hauls. At just 30 years of age and clearly back to his very best, Mustafizur now has every reason to believe that Starc’s record is within reach.
He already holds the record for the most five-wicket hauls in ODIs for Bangladesh, and this latest feat has only deepened his standing as one of the finest left-arm pacers his country has ever produced.
Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz was effusive in his praise for his strike bowler following the series victory.
“An outstanding performance from Mustafizur. The way he bowled — this is what we always expect from him,” Miraz said.
He went on to underline just how central Mustafizur is to Bangladesh’s plans in pressure situations.
“He is a great bowler for Bangladesh. He has won us many matches, and having a player like him is invaluable. Whenever we are under pressure, he is someone we can rely on.”
