The Phoenix head coach highlighted Mustafizur’s variations and slower deliveries as key weapons that could prove highly effective in English conditions.
Mustafizur is set to become the first Bangladeshi cricketer to feature in the 100-ball tournament after being snapped up by Birmingham Phoenix in the draft. He was one of two Bangladesh players included in the final list for the draft, alongside leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, who went unsold.
Although this will be his first appearance in The Hundred, Mustafizur has already played in several global T20 leagues, including the Indian Premier League and the Pakistan Super League.
Bond, who previously worked with Mustafizur at Mumbai Indians during the 2018 season when he served as the bowling coach, believes the pacer’s skills can make a major impact in the competition.
“I worked with Mustafizur at Mumbai before, so we already have a relationship. He is a game-changing bowler. Mustafizur is unique and the variation in his pace can have a big impact on matches. In that aspect, he is among the best,” Bond said in a video published by ESPNcricinfo.
The former New Zealand fast bowler also pointed out that Mustafizur’s slower deliveries could be particularly effective in England.
“We did some research and found that as the season progresses, the ball tends to grip and turn on several grounds in England. If you have someone like Mustafizur in those conditions, he can be very valuable,” he added.
At Birmingham Phoenix, Mustafizur will share the dressing room with players such as Jacob Bethell, Rehan Ahmed, Usman Tariq and Donovan Ferreira.
The fifth edition of The Hundred is scheduled to begin on July 21.
