|| CF Correspondent ||

Khulna Tigers head coach James Foster termed Mushfiqur Rahim as 360 degree player like AB de Villiers, stating that the diminutive batsman got the skill to hit the ball all around the park.

Foster’s comment came after Mushfiqur Rahim led his side to a five-wicket win over Rajshahi Royals, playing his T20 career best 51 ball-96. He smashed nine fours and four sixes in his knock which enabled Khulna to stroll past Rajshai’s daunting 189-4 with ridiculously ease.

“That was a great innings. As players and coaches, sometimes you don’t see many innings like that. Mushy is a wonderful player and that was a match winning innings,” Foster said after the match.

“Mushy is a highly skillful player. He assessed the condition and situation and what’s required against the bowlers that he comes up against. He has got options, he is a 360 degree player. Last few years having played against him when I was with Khulna Titans, he is very difficult to bowl at. Very powerful as well but he has got a tough game [in which he thirved], he is a complete package.”

But when the term 360 degree is attached only with the player like AB de Villiers, Foster’s comment looked like bit emotional. The English coach didn’t exactly compare Mushfiqur to the Villiers but he hinted the Khulna Tigers captain has the all ingredients like Villiers to torment the bowlers, smashing them all around the park.

“I am just saying he is a 360 player, he is hitting all around the ground. He is a wonderful player, one the cricketers very difficult to bowl at,” he said.

“You know there are cricketers who is strong hitting at deep midwicket, to mid-off. But mushy is a player you can hit behind and straight but that doesn’t come with luck, which comes with a lot of hard-work and practice. This is my first involvement with mushy and seeing him how he works, he is up there as one of the hard working cricketers I have seen,” he added.