Mustafizur Rahman cleared for Sussex debut by BCB after fears of 'burnout'

Dhaka: The Bangladesh national cricket board has cleared young paceman Mustafizur Rahman to play for English county team Sussex after fears he was suffering burnout, a senior official said on Thursday.

The 20-year-old bowling sensation, nicknamed ‘Fizz’, was scheduled to join Sussex earlier this month after signing as their second overseas cricketer in March for the NatWest T20 Blast tournament and the Royal London One-Day Cup.

But his participation was thrown into uncertainty by the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB’s) medical team, which feared that the cricketer might be burnt out after gruelling campaigns in the ICC World Twenty20 and Indian Premier League.

“Our medical team has given a positive report about Mustafizur Rahman’s physical condition,” BCB spokesman Jalal Yunus told AFP.

“He is doing fine in training at the moment and we expect him to improve by the time he leaves for the UK. He will leave for England on 13 July subject to visa availability,” he said.

Rahman helped Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) win their maiden IPL title with 17 wickets from 16 matches.

He was named emerging player of the tournament, the first foreign cricketer to be bestowed with the honour, after conceding just 6.9 runs per over, the lowest among those who bowled in at least 10 matches.

Rahman is now expected to make his debut for Sussex against Hampshire at Hove on 15 July in the NatWest T20 Blast and play at least four matches in the competition. He is also expected to play four more matches in the Royal London One-Day Cup.

Sussex, who are currently fourth in the South Group, three points behind leaders Glamorgan in the NatWest T20 Blast, have signed Sri Lanka seamer Nuwan Kulasekara for a short term as they continue to await Rahman’s arrival.