Just a rookie when he burst onto the scene at the 2016 T20 World Cup, Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was a prodigy who had already bamboozled some of the sport's biggest names with his deceptive cutters.
However, that tournament, and those that followed, ended in disappointment for both Mustafizur and Bangladesh. Despite claiming an impressive 11 wickets in just four matches during his debut World Cup, questions lingered about his ability to sustain that early brilliance.
His reputation soared further after helping the Sunrisers Hyderabad lift their maiden IPL trophy in his first season, picking up a commendable 17 wickets in 16 games. It seemed the young left-armer was destined for greatness, but a string of injuries and inconsistent performances threatened to derail his progress.
The decline was so swift that doubts arose about whether he could ever recapture his early magic. After a number of underwhelming seasons in the IPL, Mustafizur displayed glimpses of his former brilliance for the Chennai Super Kings this season.
He bagged a respectable 14 wickets for Chennai, making him the joint-highest wicket-taker before his loan spell ended. However, his early departure from the IPL sparked debate, with many experts believing he would have benefited more from staying and skipping Bangladesh's series against Zimbabwe.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) clearly had other plans though. Mustafizur, known for his "fiery" pace and devastating cutters, puts immense strain on his body with each delivery. The sheer number of variations he bowls under pressure in a month-long tournament takes its toll. He needs to be physically fresh to perform at his best.
Cutting his IPL stint short could prove to be a masterstroke, allowing him to rest, recharge, and arrive at the T20 World Cup brimming with confidence. The upcoming T20 World Cup offers Mustafizur not only a chance to lead Bangladesh's charge but also an opportunity to finally erase the biggest regret of his career – the lack of a major trophy.
The normally reserved Mustafizur recently spoke about his desire to be considered a "great player," a title typically reserved for those who have lifted major silverware. This newfound maturity bodes well for Bangladesh, especially when combined with the experience of Shakib Al Hasan, who has played in every edition of the T20 World Cup.
If Mustafizur can replicate his IPL form in the Caribbean and the USA, and Bangladesh's other pace bowlers like Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Tanzim Sakib can also perform at their peak, the "Tigers" can dream of exceeding anything they've achieved at the T20 World Cup before.
