Newly turned father, Bangladesh cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim said the Tigers will be highly boosted for the second and final Test match against Sri Lanka, backed with huge positives from the first Test at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Cricket Stadium in Chittagong last week. Bangladesh in the first of two Tests fought back in style in the run-fest to secure a draw, even though the visiting side were on top heading into the fifth day’s play.
Bangladesh going into the final day needed to survive three sessions with seven wickets in hand, replying to Sri Lanka’s massive first innings total of 713. The Tigers were successful in their pursuit as Mominul Haque registered his second hundred in the game and was supported brilliantly by Liton Das.
“We have been able to bring a lot of positives from the Chittagong Test. We lost a lot of matches from a similar position in the past. It is a big achievement for the team to get that draw. Liton and Mominul were unbelievable. I believe the team will be highly boosted. We might not have been able to bowl well despite our bowlers being capable. Our batsmen took the chances as there were lots of runs in the wicket. I am looking forward to the Dhaka game. It is a good chance for us to win the series 1-0,” said Mushfiq to the media at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka Tuesday.
Last week, the occasion was the first in 12 years when Mushfiq had played a Test as a specialist batsman and not as captain since 2011. At times, when the right-handed batsman failed to contribute according to his ability, discussions took place if playing three roles was not allowing Mushfiq to put on his best performance as a batsman.
When queried if he feels relieved of the extra responsibilities and if this will allow him to concentrate more on his batting, Mushfiq said, “I had three jobs and now I have one job, which is only batsman. I always try to perform my responsibilities to the best of my ability. I scored while being the captain and wicket-keeper, I even got out for a duck. I have to face whatever comes in front of me, and go forward. I am enjoying it.”
The 30-year old, who is set to appear in his 60th Test when Bangladesh take on Sri Lanka at MSBNCS Thursday said his continued presence in the team will depend on his performance with the bat.
“There’s always pressure but as a captain, I was an automatic choice. Now as a top-order batsman, I have to perform. I tried to give my best in the last game (scoring 92 and two). I was unlucky in the second innings, the ball wasn’t that great. I will keep trying, and get more runs in the next game,” Mushfiq informed.
The right-hander following a disastrous tour of South Africa last year had handed over the charge as Test captain to all-rounder Shakib al Hasan. Shakib got ruled out from the series after picking up an injury following which vice captain Mahmudullah took charge as stand-in captain. Middle-order batsman Mahmudullah has always been a contender for national team captaincy, based on his experiences as skipper in the Dhaka Premier League and Bangladesh Premier League T20. In the last Test, Mahmudullah emerged as the 10th Bangladesh Test captain.
Commenting on Mahmudullah’s captaincy, Mushfiq said, “I enjoyed his captaincy to be honest. There were a few decisions he took which was typical of him, his own style. He has performed well as a captain in domestic leagues and in BPL. He is better performer when he is a captain, which is leading from the front. He believes in it and he actually does it. This thing of him inspires me. The whole team are waiting to play under his leadership in the second Test.”
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