Bangladesh’s Test skipper Musfiqur Rahim said on Thursday that he is aiming to go over the bowlers head in the upcoming home series against Australia.
Mushfiq, one of the most consistent Test batsmen in the Bangladesh squad, is well aware that Australian series won’t be a cakewalk despite their debacle in the current Ashes series.
To tune up properly for the two-match Test series against the current world champions, the middle order batsman shortened his day-off by returning to the training a week earlier than the scheduled time.
After some running at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Mushfiq batted at the indoor nets for more than an hour with the help of some net bowlers and left-arm spinner Mosharraf Hossain.
During the training he tried to demonstrate his batting skills in order make them sharper.
Mushfiq’s going over the bowlers head was evident during the hour-long individual training session that also saw him trying some of his trademark shots like flick of the wrist or lofted drive over the mid-wicket region.
‘Let’s see whether I can go over the bowlers head,’ Mushfiq told New Age after the training.
‘It’s a very productive shot with least amount of risk into it. ‘It’s very demoralising for the bowlers as well.’
Mushfiq has always been one of the hardest working cricketers in the national team and his determination and dedication are termed as the main reason behind his success.
His work ethics are asked to be followed by the newcomers as he attends all the national practice sessions. He often begins or ends regular session with an extra-session with the bat or some catching drills.
Apart from that, Mushfiq said he tries to remain active in the field during the off-season so that he does not lose his appetite for runs.
Mushfiq, who spent some time at his home town in Bogra during the recent break, looked refreshed by leaving
behind all the exhaustion of ceaseless cricket since the ICC World Cup and thereafter.
Bangladesh played home series against Pakistan, India and South Africa following the World Cup.
Mushfiq, who started his individual training Monday, said that initially it was a bit tiring but looked to be getting into his groove with the passing days.
‘On the opening day it was difficult,’ said Mushfiq,
‘But as days are passing by it is getting better,’ he said adding ‘I think hard work always pays off irrespective of your talent.’
Mushfiq added that he is fasting at the moment as he could not do that during the home series against South Africa.
‘At that time, I could not fast for five to seven days. So now I’m trying to cover that,’ he said.
-With New Age input
