Mustafizur aims to trip up India with his off-cutters
BIRMINGHAM: Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman, who tormented India’s famed batting line-up two years ago, is eyeing an encore in the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal at Edgbaston on Thursday provided his off-cutters start working in English conditions.
Two years ago during India’s tour of Bangladesh, Rahman rose to the limelight by bagging fivewicket hauls in two consecutive matches. But Mustafizur, who has picked up just one wicket from three games so far in the tournament, is worried that his famed off-cutters are not working in England like they do in subcontinent conditions. “There is no end to improving. My cutters are more effective back home. It is not working that well here, but I am still trying,” Mustafizur said.
“We have reached the semifinals... With a semifinal against India, everyone is in high spirits. I hope something good will happen,” he said. “I always try to execute what I am thinking about and I try to give my best.”
Mustafizur is optimistic about a good result against India but said the Tigers need to produce a collective effort. “We always believe in ourself. If everyone has a good day, then I hope something good will happen.”
CARDIFF TICKETS
CARDIFF: Fans who no longer plan to attend the Champions Trophy semifinal between England and Pakistan in Cardiff on Wednesday have been urged to put their tickets on the official re-sale site in a bid to prevent empty seats at the ground. When spectators bought tickets for the one-day tournament, they were asked to specify a team preference by the ICC. Of those that did for the Cardiff semi-final, 30% said they were India fans. But with title-holders India playing Bangladesh at Edgbaston, there are concerns that Wednesday’s match at the 14,100 capacity Cardiff ground could be blighted by mass no shows. The deadline for fans to get their tickets on the resale site is midnight on Tuesday.