Saikiran Uppuluri
Saikiran Uppuluri
In a candid admission, Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam has suggested that his teammate Mustafizur Rahman enjoys playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) more than representing his national team. The reason, according to Shoriful, is the lesser pressure and expectations associated with the franchise-based T20 tournament compared to the intense scrutiny faced while playing for Bangladesh.
Mustafizur has been in fine form for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the ongoing IPL season, having picked up 11 wickets in just six matches so far. His performances have showcased his abilities at the highest level against tough oppositions, even as he endured a forgettable 12 months on the international circuit. Shoriful, who closely follows his teammate’s exploits, believes that the reduced pressure in the IPL allows Mustafizur to express himself more freely.
“I think he [Mustafizur] enjoys playing in the IPL more than playing for the Bangladesh team. It is because the pressure is less there. Perhaps, there are a lot of expectations when playing for Bangladesh, and you come under immense pressure if you don’t play well,” Shoriful explained. He added that the high expectations from fans and pundits due to Mustafizur’s past performances might have weighed heavily on the pacer in recent times, leading to a dip in form for the national team.
