Bangladesh speedster Mustafizur Rahman bagged 17 wickets in 16 games to help Sunrisers Hyderabad win their maiden IPL trophy. It was the fast bowler's debut IPL tournament and in his first attempt the Satkhira lad made sure the Hyderabad fans get a new name to sing.
Here are six interesting facts about the 'Emerging Player' of the tournament's maiden IPL journey.
1. The Fast, the Swinging and the Miserly
Mustafiz has the best economy rate, 6.90, among the bowlers who have played at least 12 games. Next is Delhi Daredevils all-rounder Chris Morris who has an economy rate of 7.00.
2. The Unplayable
Only two bowlers conceded less than 10 runs bowling four overs in a game - Gujarat Lions all-rounder Dwayne Smith (4-0-8-4 against Kolkata Knight Riders) and Mustafiz (4-1-9-2 against Kings XI Punjab).
3. The Dominator
Alongside Rising Pune Supergiants all-rounder Rajat Bhatia (against Mumbai Indians) and Delhi Daredevils skipper Zaheer Khan (against Kings XI Punjab), Mustafiz (also against Punjab) is jointly second in terms of the highest dot balls bowled in a single game (17). Only Dwayne Smith (18) has done better, against Kolkata Knight Riders.
4. The Giant Killer
Over the course of the tournament, only four bowlers did the 'double' of grabbing the wickets of both the T20's best ranked batsman (Virat Kohli) and best ranked all-rounder (Shane Watson). Mustafiz, Dhawal Kulkarni, Praveen Kumar and Mohammed Shami make the pack. Praveen and Shami did this 'double' in the same match though.
5. His Chosen Ones
On both the occasions Sunrisers Hyderabad played Gujarat Lions in the group stage, 'The Fizz' put an end to Ravindra Jadeja's innings. The champions played the Lions in the Qualifier 2 as well, but Mustafiz was out injured in that game.
Mustafiz loves bowling against Watson as well, getting him out twice in the three matches they have met, including in the final.
6. He Wants It That Way
Although Mustafiz loves getting the batsman bowled, in this IPL 13 of his 17 wickets came, thanks to the help of a fielder. Although the batsmen were successful to save their pad or the wicket, they had to give catches to the speedster's fellow team-mates.
