Mustafizur Rahman equals Wasim Akram, Trent Boult with sixth ODI five-for

Bangladesh star pacer Mustafizur Rahman stole the spotlight in the third ODI against New Zealand on Thursday (April 23). Playing his first game of the series, he picked up a brilliant five-wicket haul.

That spell also ended a long wait. The last time he took a five-for in ODIs was back in the 2019 World Cup, when he did it in consecutive matches against India and Pakistan. Nearly seven years later, he got that feeling again.

His journey in international cricket had started in style too. Back in 2015, he grabbed 5 and 6 wickets in his first two matches against India, instantly making headlines. Later that same year, he took another five-for against Zimbabwe.

With this latest performance against New Zealand, Mustafizur now has six five-wicket hauls in ODIs. Among left-arm pacers, that puts him alongside legends like Wasim Akram and Trent Boult. The BBL has also seen players like Boult achieve great success, leaving fans in awe.

Wasim Akram achieved his six five-fors in 351 innings. Mustafizur has reached the same number in just 118 innings. Boult did it slightly quicker, in 114 innings.

Only one name sits above them – Mitchell Starc, who has nine five-wicket hauls in ODIs.

Mustafizur is just 30 and currently in great form. So, catching up with Starc doesn’t seem impossible at all.

Most five-wicket haul by left-arm pacers in ODIs:

1. Mitchell Starc (Australia) – 9 times

2. Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh) – 6 times

3. Wasim Akram (Pakistan) – 6 times

4. Trent Boult (New Zealand) – 6 times

5. Bilal Khan (Oman) – 4 times