Australia cricketer Glenn Maxwell spoke in glowing terms about Bangladesh paceman Mustafizur Rahman and all-rounder Shakib al Hasan ahead of the first Test match between the two teams, starting in Mirpur's Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Sunday.
“Mustafizur is obviously the exceptional bowler we faced in the IPL during his breakthrough season. I suppose his pace dropped off as he played a bit more Test cricket. He is still an outstanding bowler who has the ability to swing it and an unbelievable change-up slower ball. He is not your conventional left-arm seamer," Maxwell told the media in Mirpur on Wednesday.
"He obviously got a very flexible wrist with which he can flick it in the last moment. It looks exactly the same either it is his bumper or his slower ball. It is a hard thing to pick up," he said.
Regarding Shakib, the 28-year old all-rounder from Victoria said, "The same thing with Shakib who is a really experienced player. He has been the No 1 all-rounder in the world for a while. He is an excellent cricketer. We have to play these guys really well to negate their influence in the Test series and make sure we are staying on top of the game.
“I am probably more of a batsman while he is probably more of a genuine all-rounder. I will try to make runs and then support the off-spinner in our team when he needs it."