The top 5 exponents of the slower ball in world cricket today

#2 Mustafizur Rahman

Mustafizur Rahman began his international career in 2015

Known as ‘the Fizz’, Mustafizur Rahman is the latest bowling sensation in the cricket world. Since his debut against India in June 2015, he has taken giant strides in international cricket.

He has bamboozled batsmen with his slow balls and off-cutters and he is yet to be worked out as far as the batsmen are concerned.

He bowls the slower one similar to how an off-break bowler would deliver it; the difference being that his ball comes at a pace of around 125 kmph. The reduced pace does not compromise much with the bounce as edges have been seen easily carrying into the keeper’s gloves.

Rahman is very accurate with his length of the slower ball, as it is full enough to lure the batsman into a drive but not full enough for the batsman to counter the turn with a forward stride. He bowls it on the leg stump so that the batsman does not get room to hit big.

The part of his bowling that makes him most deceptive is that he delivers the ball with exactly the same arm speed. It is almost impossible for a batsman to judge the pace of the ball.

The only variation seems to be the subtle change in grip and the breaking of the wrist at the point of release when he delivers the ball.

He is a great asset to any bowling unit and played a vital role in Sunrisers Hyderabad winning the 2016 IPL. He has picked up 26 wickets in 9 ODI’s with an impressive average of 12.35.

His economy rate of 6.02 in T20’s is unparalleled. His sheer genius with the ball makes Mustafizur someone to look out for in the years to come.