Mustafizur Rahman
Mustafizur Rahman will play for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2016.IANS

Mustafizur Rahman did not have much expectations from the IPL 2016 Player Auction, considering Bangladesh players are usually ignored by the franchises. However, the Bangladesh bowler was bought for Rs 1.4 crore by the Sunrisers Hyderabad, who beat out competition from the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

The Bangladesh pacer, who had a base price of Rs 50 lakh, received bids from SRH and RCB, but Vijay Mallya's team were eventually outbid by SRH, who sealed the deal for a hefty price.

Mustafuzur believes that his performances against India last year helped him bag the highly-coveted IPL contract.

Last year, when Bangladesh hosted India for an ODI series in June, Mustafizur bowled his heart out and troubled the India batsmen with his variations, primarily his off-cutters. Mustafizur took 13 wickets in the three-match series, helping Bangladesh clinch the series.

"I wasn't really desperate for an IPL contract. Honestly, I didn't have too many expectations. But since I had done well against India, I thought there could be people who would be interested in me," Mustafizur Rahman told Cricbuzz in an interview.

The Bangladesh pacer should consider himself fortunate to be picked up by a franchise during the auctions, as a number of big names went unsold. While he may not be guaranteed a lot of playing time in the IPL for the Sunrisers, considering a team can only pick four foreigners in the playing XI, he will, however, have a great chance to learn from his superstar teammates.

With his selection, he will be only the second Bangladesh player, after Shakib-Al-Hasan, who was retained by Kolkata Knight Riders, to play in the ninth edition of the IPL, which starts on 9 April. It is going to be a great experience for the pacer, who should enjoy the IPL atmosphere. 

"I understand that people in my country have big expectations from me. IPL will be a good exposure from me. I have learnt a few things in my first year of international cricket. It will be a good place to test my skills. It will be a good experience playing in front of Indian crowds now and with some of the best players in the world," Mustafizur said.