Amir and Mustafiz: the inspiration vs the inspired

Both players are ready to face off each other for the first time in the international arena

For the first time in their international careers, Muhammad Amir and Mustafizur Rahman might don their national colours and face-off in the field for Pakistan and Bangladesh, respectively.

With India beaten comprehensively by New Zealand in the opening game of the World T20 Super10s stage, the match between Shahid Afridi’s men and Mashrafe Mortaza’s men has gained more importance. The winner will have a chance to knock India out of the event if they can muster up a win against MS Dhoni and his team.



When Amir came back from his five-year exile and resumed bowling duties in the domestic circuit, Mustafiz was making his mark on the international scene with his well-controlled cutters against India.

When asked about his inspiration, Mustafiz instead of naming the usual suspects named Pakistani left-hander as the one he looked up to. Amir was humbled by the Bangladeshi bowler’s gesture and hoped that he came good for his nation.

Strengths

The left-hand operators with the Kookaburra are always considered more lethal than the right-hand ones. The angle that they create for the right-hand batsmen gives them an advantage in the opening overs when the ball is zipping off the pitch.



However, there is one point which makes Amir and Mustafiz different from each other: the former’s reliance on pace and swing while the latter’s dependence on pace variation and cutters.

When measured using the scale of smartness, Amir and Mustafiz are two bowlers who will score equally.

While Amir is not able to roll his fingers on the ball, he uses the crease to his advantage and can surprise the batsman with a quick Yorker after bowling two length deliveries which zip pass his bat.



Meanwhile, Mustafiz, who is just 20 years into his life, can deceive the batsman with his leg and off-cutters. He also has a back-of-the-hand slow ball; the effectiveness of which was seen clearly when he debuted against India and took a five-for in 9.2 overs leaking away only 50 runs.

The Kolkata test

Spinners have always had the last laugh in the Eden Gardens as the pitch starts to wear out during the match but pacers also play an important role in Kolkata when the new ball offers a few moments of greatness to them.



If fielded in the final eleven, Amir and Mustafiz might not run away with a man of the match performance in Bangladesh versus Pakistan match but if they can maintain an economy of less than six runs per over on a batting haven, it would mean a lot for their teams. Also, it will serve as a confidence booster for both the bowlers in the upcoming matches against batting giants India and the visiting Australia and New Zealand team.

My prediction: Mustafiz might win the day against Amir as Pakistan has time and again proven to falter against change of pace. Meanwhile, Amir, if can unearth two overs of swing from the Eden, then he will surely trouble Bangladesh.

Here is Amir versus India in Asia Cup


And here goes Mustafiz versus India in his debut ODI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq4J5SqYjNg