Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman said it is “very tiring” to live continuously in the bio-bubble whether it be for international cricket or Indian Premier League (IPL) due to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying it is getting difficult day-by-day for everyone associated with the game.
Mustafizur was recently in India to play for Rajasthan Royals in the 14th edition of the IPL 2021 – which was postponed on May 4 due to the Coronavirus outbreak inside bio-bubble.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) requested the government for some relaxations for IPL 14-bound Shakib Al Hasan (Kolkata Knight Riders) and Mustafizur, but they didn’t get any kind of relaxations because of them returning from COVID-19 hit country India and are undergoing quarantine in a hotel there.
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After completing the mandatory quarantine period, Shakib and Mustafizur will enter another bio-bubble, as Bangladesh is all set to play Sri Lanka in an ODI series from May 23.
Mustafizur told Cricbuzz: “It's very tiring (living continuously in the bio-bubble), and it is getting difficult day-by-day. Hotel room and venue... how long can you enjoy the same routine? It is all the same (Covid-19 protocols), whether it is international cricket or IPL and it is difficult for everyone.”
He further added, “But there is nothing I can do. I was in a bio-secure bubble in India and now doing quarantine here. We have not traveled like other passengers. After a member of one team was found positive, we were in a room in quarantine. We were locked in one room for nearly five to six days, and later came in the plane that was rented for us and now doing quarantine.”
Meanwhile, the left-arm pace bowler has been laid low by injuries and inconsistent performances for the last few years, but in the IPL 14, he was in fine form for the RR, picking up eight wickets in the truncated tournament and he was happy to be able to find his rhythm back.
He further noted, “The rhythm was very good and I was able to do whatever I wanted to. I tried my best from my part and now it is up to you to judge how I fared. They (RR) had given me a priority, and I am happy that they gave me the chance to bowl with the new ball and I tried my best to meet their expectations. I knew Sangakkara from my Dhaka Dynamites days and I knew what he expects from me. Everyone else helped me to be comfortable in the dressing room.”
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On the postponement of the IPL 2021, Bangladesh pacer aid: “Because if it (Covid-19) had spread more, then a lot of players would have been infected and that wouldn't have been good for anyone. I think I have got good preparation for the T20 WC, and the experience that I have gathered will certainly help me in the tournament. I will try to share my experiences with my (national) teammates that I feel would help them while judging our opponents in the T20 WC.”
Mustafizur has also revealed that he is working on perfecting a few variations, including the back of the hand slower one and the slower yorker.
The pacer further explained, “I am trying the slower one from the back of the hand for a long time and it will take more time to master it. I was doing it in the nets, so tried it in the middle one day. The slower yorker is a very difficult ball. In T20s, you have to take this kind of risk... just tried it and it clicked. I have been working on it for a long time but couldn't do it. After coming to the IPL from New Zealand, it seemed as if I was able to bowl that. It's not that I am bowling in the right spot all the time, but coming close to it and I am happy with that but need to work on it more.”
He signed off by saying, “I am also trying to bring one or two balls into the right-hander and working on it too. I am not saying that I am not keen to learn new skills... definitely I will learn those things, but for me what is more important is to hone my skillset (cutters and slower ones) as it has made me 'Fizz'.”
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)
