Mashrafe Mortaza Reveals The Reason Behind His Success Against Andre Russell

It is fair to say that Andre Russell is one of the fiercest of hitters of the cricket ball in white-ball cricket in the current era. We saw that to the hilt throughout the last calendar year and especially in the IPL where Russell took down almost everyone with his pyrotechnics.

Deep in his crease, stable base, mobile hips, and brute power- This is how Andre Russell has revolutionized power-hitting in the modern era. Russell was at the height of his powers throughout 2019 and especially during the Indian Premier League where he smashed more than 500 runs at a strike-rate in excess of 200. But, as we found out in the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League, even the best in the business can find it difficult against someone who knows how to deceive the batsman with his pace or the lace of it.

We saw that when Andre Russell struggled to get going against former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza in the BPL. Russell had come up trumps against almost every bowler during the tournament barring Mortaza, who dismissed the West Indian on a couple of occasions.

Also Read: Andre Russell Reveals What He Told Shubman Gill During His 13-Ball 48 Against RCB In IPL 2019

Mashrafe Mortaza reveals an interesting conversation with Andre Russell during the BPL

Mortaza recently engaged in a Facebook Live session with fellow teammate Tamim Iqbal where the latter asked him about the reason behind Russell faltering against him.

“We all know Andre Russell is a big hitter, but why can’t he play well against you? Can’t he differentiate between your slower ball or quicker ball?” Tamim Iqbal asked.

Mortaza then went on to reveal an interesting conversation that he had with Russell during the tournament.

“Once Russell got out by me and asked me later why can’t I play your deliveries. I told him you have a problem with perception. You need to more clever in guessing. You should prepare to face my slowest ball at 117km/hr and quickest delivery at 120km/hr.”

Mortaza added that he told Russell that he shouldn’t hope to see his slower ball at 105 km/hr and the faster one at 130 km/hr. It is this difference in perception that is causing issues to him, Mortaza told Russell.

He added: “You shouldn’t hope to see my slower delivery at 105 km/hr and quickest at 130 km/hr. That’s why you fail to play the deliveries.”

Mortaza recently stepped down from the leadership role post the home series against Zimbabwe.

Also Read: Batting With Andre Russell Makes You Feel You’re Watching Highlights On TV: Shubman Gill