“It’s not how we fall, It’s how we get back up again.” In sports, the general audience only views either the summit of an athlete’s career, or the death of an athlete’s career. With fans now becoming critical of the athlete’s and their performances, it is critical to note that they are humans after all. One such example is Bangladesh’s prolific left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman. 

With a 6-for and a 5-for on debut to seal a historic series against India, the then 19yr old Mustafizur Rahman became the hottest prospect in Bangladesh history. With his slicing off-cutters and brilliant length management, the “fizz” arrived hot into Bangladesh cricket. Hailing from Satkhira, 300 km away from capital Dhaka, Mustafizur was selected to join the under-19 camp for the U-19 world cup, after impressing in a pace camp. It was his brilliant spell of taking 8 wickets against UAE which earned him the call-up to the Bangladesh A side touring West Indies in 2014. With his maiden cap arriving against Pakistan, the Bangladeshi Selectors had enough faith on him to be called up for the 2015 series against India, where he took his famous 5-for and 6-for, bamboozling India with his line and length and his famous off-cutter which is delivered like a spinner but has the pace to arrive sharp at the wicketkeeper. His brilliant 13 wickets in 3 games earned Bangladesh their first series victory against India, one that will be remembered forever by Bangladeshi fans.  

After the highs of 2015, the lows of the next three years aren’t known by many. Going on and off with persistent wrist and leg injuries, Mustafizur struggled in 2016, 2017, and 2018. He capped off the three years with a brilliant campaign in the 2016 T20 World Cup. Although Bangladesh’s performance wasn’t thrilling, with only 2 wins; Mustafizur’s stunning 5 for against New Zealand lifted him to 9 wickets in 3 games, making him the 12th man in the Team of the Tournament. For Fizz, 2019 was a year in which he returned to his dazzling form, picking up 20 wickets in the ODI World Cup, behind only Mitchell Starc, Jofra Archer, and Lockie Ferguson in terms of total wickets in the tournament. All three of the bowlers had the chance of extra games in the semi-finals, which Mustafizur unfortunately did not acquire the chance to as Bangladesh departed the world cup with 3 wins in 9 games. 

Under Russel Domingo, Mustafizur entered the heights of pace bowling in 2019-2022. With his sizzling cutters, his IPL showings were one of the many brilliant performances that showcased his raw talent. After the return of Chandika Haturusingha, the coach who lent him his first cap; Mustafizur shone brilliantly in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Bangladesh performed brilliantly in the world cup, winning 3 of the 7 games and advancing to the second round. With the experience under his belt, many would already regard the left-arm pacer as one of the best that Bangladesh has produced, but only being 28 yrs of age; he still has many years left in him to deliver for the nation.