Afghan spinner’s ready to turn up Heat
HAVEN’T heard of Mujeeb Ur Rahman?
Brisbane Heat coach Dan Vettori reckons that will soon change after he unveils the 17year-old Afghan off-spinner in the Big Bash League.
Former New Zealand spinner Vettori has offered to act as a mentor for Mujeeb, the BBL’s youngest signing.
But ex-Black Caps captain Vettori doesn’t think he can teach his star import much more after watching the teenager’s exploits around the world. A self-taught prodigy, Mujeeb is technically an offspinner but mixes up his deliveries with leg breaks and a wicked wrong ’un.
Vettori expects Mujeeb to turns heads in Australia, starting with the Heat’s BBL opener against Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba on Wednesday night.
“He’s got so much experience in such a short amount of time, I think he really understands his game,” Vettori said.
“That’s true of all Afghan players. They are all selfcoached so they feel as though they really know what they are doing in any situation. And from what I have seen, pressure is not an issue.
“He doesn’t get flustered and he just gets on with it, that’s the mentality you need (in Twenty20 cricket).”
Mujeeb was part of Afghanistan’s inaugural Test side in June and has already played 23 ODIs and seven T20Is for his country.
But it has been his T20 heroics that have most impressed Vettori after stints in competitions in Bangladesh, Pakistan and the Indian Premier League where he claimed 14 scalps from 11 games for Kings XI Punjab.
“He has played in most comps around the world and he has been very successful,” Vettori said. “The thing that separates him I think is his action. He’s very tall, he bowls quick, and he bowls from a height that makes it difficult.
“His control of those variations set him apart.” Mujeeb is expected to form a dangerous spin duo with Brisbane legpinner Mitch Swepson.