Saifuddin rediscovers T20 mojo with career best bowling
Photo: Cricfrenzy
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Mohammad Saifuddin grabbed his career-best bowling figure as he picked .. to help the host restrict Afghanistan to ,, in the Twenty20 tri-nation at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Sunday.
After missing out the one-off Test against Afghanistan with injury concerns, Bangladesh fast bowler Mohammad Saifuddin showed that he is ready for the shorter version cricket as his two break-throws during his initial two over against Afghanistan in the T20 tri-nation series proved pivotal for Bangladesh.
While the two breakthroughs that he got in an over at the later stage also looked to have created a big difference considering Asghar Afghan was looking dangerous batting on 39.
Afghanistan were 40-4 at one stage before 79 runs stand between Asghar Afghan and Mohammad Nabi helped them resurrect their innings and just when Asghar was preparing to launch a counter attack Saifudin bowled him to bring back the host back into the game and three balls later he bowled Gulbadin Naib.
He finished the bowling figure with 4-33 largely due to the fact he was hammered in the last over that cost him 17 runs.
Saifuddin was handed the ball to try Bangladesh’s luck against Afghanistan as the right armed fast bowler picked Afghan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s wicket on the first ball of the Afghan innings.
Gurbaz who’s 43 off just 24-ball knock gave the Afghans a fine start on the previous day against Zimbabwe, put his team under pressure after failing to give the same start against Bangladesh, all credit goes Saifuddin.
Saifuddin’s initial break led Bangladesh to another success in the second over as another Afghan opener Hazratullah Zazai’s under-pressure-shot never found the gallery but Liton Das who was standing in the boundary area.
Afghanistan were already 2 down for 10 after Shakib Al Hasan’s over but then when Saifuddin again showed that he has more to deliver for the team after the long break post the World Cup. The 22-year-old might have bitten to a six by Najeeb Tarkai in the third delivery of his second over but his next delivery saw the Afghan batsman walking off the ground after being caught by Sabbir Rahman.
The young fast bowler was again brought back into attack in the last four overs of Afghanistan innings and the bowler kept his streak un broken picking up another wicket 17th over.
Saifuddin, who played his debut match in 2017, enjoyed a mediocre World Cup in England on July and despite that the young fast bowler was often successful bringing the Tiger’s team the initial break-throws. Though having 7.19 economy rate in the World Cup, the pacer took 13 wickets to remain second on list after Mustafizur Rahman of most wickets for Bangladesh.
