Mustafizur, the ‘King of Dots’ in T20s
Bangladesh’s left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman has achieved another remarkable milestone in his glittering career, becoming the bowler with the most dot balls in T20 International cricket. Known for his deceptive cutters and pinpoint accuracy, Mustafizur reached this historic feat during Bangladesh’s thrilling two-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the second T20I in Sharjah on Friday.
Even though Mustafizur went wicketless in the recent match against Afghanistan — conceding 40 runs in his four overs — Bangladesh secured a thrilling two-wicket victory to clinch the three-match series. Despite not taking a wicket, Mustafizur’s bowling performance still made headlines for a different reason. During the game, he bowled seven dot balls, pushing his career tally of dot deliveries to an unmatched 1,142 in T20 internationals.
A Milestone Worth Gold in the Age of Power Hitting
In the world of T20 cricket, where boundaries and sixes dominate the spectacle, each dot ball is worth its weight in gold. Limiting the batsmen’s scoring options puts immense pressure on the opposition and often leads to wickets. Mustafizur Rahman’s ability to consistently bowl tight overs has made him one of the most valuable assets in Bangladesh’s bowling lineup.
A post from his official Facebook page celebrated the achievement shortly after the game: “The record for bowling the most dot balls in international T20s is now Mustafizur Rahman — 1142!”
The milestone highlights his exceptional control and skill in a format where batsmen constantly look to attack.
Breaking Down the Numbers
Mustafizur Rahman has bowled in 120 T20 innings, delivering a total of 2,616 valid balls. Out of these, 1,142 have been dot deliveries, giving him a stunning dot-ball percentage of 43.65%. This means that in nearly half of all his deliveries, batsmen have failed to score.
He has conceded a total of 3,195 runs during his T20 international career, maintaining a strong economy rate considering his role as a death-over specialist. This achievement places him ahead of some of the most experienced and skilled bowlers in the format.
The second position on the list belongs to New Zealand’s Tim Southee, who has bowled 1,138 dot balls in 123 innings, followed by Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan, who has 1,078 dots in 125 innings. England leg-spinner Adil Rashid (988 dots) and Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan (984 dots) complete the top five.
Among the Legends of T20 Bowling
The list of top bowlers for dot deliveries reads like a who’s who of modern cricket. But Mustafizur Rahman’s name at the top speaks volumes about his consistency and discipline.
| Rank | Bowler | Dot Balls | Total Balls | Dot % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mustafizur Rahman | 1,142 | 2,616 | 43.65% |
| 2 | Tim Southee | 1,138 | 2,753 | 41.33% |
| 3 | Shakib Al Hasan | 1,078 | 2,720 | 39.63% |
| 4 | Adil Rashid | 988 | 2,756 | 35.84% |
| 5 | Rashid Khan | 984 | 2,408 | 40.86% |
Notably, Mustafizur, Southee, and Shakib are the only three bowlers to have delivered more than 1,000 dot balls in T20 internationals — an achievement that underlines their longevity and control in a format known for aggression.
A Testament to Skill and Strategy
Mustafizur Rahman’s success is not built merely on speed, but on his tactical intelligence and variations. His slower cutters, subtle seam movement, and clever changes of pace keep even the best batsmen guessing. These variations have earned him respect across the cricketing world and made him a go-to bowler in franchise leagues globally.
While he may not always end up with a large haul of wickets, Mustafizur’s ability to control the flow of runs and build pressure is what sets him apart. Every dot ball contributes to that pressure — forcing batters into making mistakes that his teammates can capitalize on.
Comparing the Greats
Among the top five bowlers with the most dot balls, Rashid Khan stands out for having the best economy rate — just 6.12 runs per over — while also being the leading wicket-taker with 179 wickets. Tim Southee follows with 164 wickets, Mustafizur Rahman has 152, Shakib 148, and Adil Rashid 141.
Interestingly, Rashid Khan has also conceded the fewest sixes (82) among the top five, followed by Mustafizur (104), Shakib (120), Southee (142), and Adil Rashid (184). These statistics show that Mustafizur Rahman’s discipline and economy are among the best in the world, even when compared to elite-level bowlers.
Bangladesh’s Bowling Pride
Mustafizur’s record also highlights Bangladesh’s growing strength in the bowling department. Among Bangladeshi bowlers, Taskin Ahmed ranks just outside the top ten, sitting in 11th place with 838 dot balls in 81 innings — an impressive dot-ball percentage of 47.74%.
Together, Mustafizur, Shakib, and Taskin have helped transform Bangladesh into a formidable side capable of defending modest totals and applying pressure in key moments of T20 matches.
More Than Just Numbers
For Mustafizur Rahman, this record is not just a personal milestone — it reflects years of hard work, perseverance, and adaptation. Since his debut, he has battled injuries and form slumps but continues to remain a vital figure in Bangladesh’s cricket setup.
Every dot ball he bowls adds to a legacy defined not only by numbers but by moments of brilliance that have brought Bangladesh crucial victories in international cricket. His knack for breaking partnerships, combined with his calm demeanor, has made him one of the most dependable bowlers in the shorter format.
The Fizz’s Legacy Continues
As Mustafizur Rahman continues to play and refine his craft, it’s likely that his record for most dot balls in T20Is will stand for years to come. In a format where batsmen dominate headlines, he has proven that patience, precision, and discipline still define greatness.
With Bangladesh eyeing more success in upcoming series and tournaments, Mustafizur Rahman’s control with the ball will remain one of the team’s biggest strengths — and a weapon that opponents continue to fear.