Bangladesh Test skipper Mushfiqur Rahim is trying to develop his skill of playing scoop shots ahead of the forthcoming Twenty20 assignments.
Mushfiq, who is arguably the most consistent cricketer in the Tigers dressing room, could not deliver according to his reputation in the just-concluded Bangladesh Premier League.With several Twenty20 tournaments coming up and the home series against Zimbabwe comprising four T20I matches knocking at the door, Mushfiq decided to enrich his repertoire of strokes.
After completing his fitness training, Mushfiq batted at the National Cricket Academy nets for more than two hours during which he tried to hone his batting skills.
Mushfiq is known for his slog sweep but it was evident during his individual training that he understood it won’t be enough to get success in the shortest form of cricket.
As a result he ended up trying to play the scoop shot asking the thrower to provide him with short pitch deliveries into his body.
‘I think you need to have more options,’ Mushfiq told New Age.
‘Its not that opponents doesn’t know my strength,’ said Mushfiq.
‘They will try to come up with different tricks so I am looking forward to face them with newer options,’ he said.
Mushfiq has always been one of the hardest working cricketers in the national team and his determination and dedication are credited 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 sessions with an extra-session with the bat or some catching drills.
Apart from playing the scoop shot during the hour-long individual training session also saw him trying some of his trademark shots like slog sweep, flick of the wrist or lofted drive over the mid-wicket region.
Mushfiq said that he still loves playing the slog sweep and the shots that had brought him success so far but the shortest form of cricket is all about trying out new things.
‘I know T20 cricket is all about innovations,’ said Mushfiq.
‘Slog sweep is there but scoop shot is something that I am trying to master,’ he said.
Bangladesh will start their Twenty20 campaign with Twenty20 series against Zimbabwe before they move forward to play the inaugural edition of Asia Cup Twenty20 at home and the ICC World Twenty20 in India.
-With New Age input
