Bangladesh Test skipper Mushfiqur Rahim had mixed feeling as he reflected on national team’s journey in Test arena during the last 14 years. Bangladesh began their journey in Test cricket from November 10, 2000 but could manage only six wins over the period, which includes the two most recent wins over Zimbabwe. Mushfiq, who led Bangladesh in three of their six wins, did not hesitate to give his piece of mind in front of the reporters at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Monday.
‘Obviously I can’t say that we are in a very good position,’ said Musfiq. ‘The last 14 years has been a really long time. Probably as a team, we had the chance to improve a bit more, but unfortunately, that has not happened. That is what I personally feel.’
‘But if you talk about the recent times, especially this year, winning two Tests back-to-back is a very positive sign,’ said Mushfiq.
Bangladesh are preparing for the last Test against Zimbabwe to complete an unprecedented 3-0 sweep in the three-match series having won the first two Tests in Dhaka and Khulna.
Mushfiq said that the Tigers are yet to gel as a unit in the longer version format despite being able to produce some individual performers.
‘Overall as a team we could have done better, there were certain Tests which we could have drawn or even won, but from that aspect as a team we probably could have performed better,’ he said.
‘But as an individual in the last few years a number of players have come which is a good sign, I think if they can play consistently for 4 to 5 years, Bangladesh’s results will be better in the future.’
‘In the last two to three years we have more performers. So when a team has 6 to7 performers, as a team they also play well.’
Mushfiq held lack of competitive playing in first-class cricket, under-prepared wicket, chaotic domestic calendar that often stop national players from playing longer-version game responsible for the little progress.
Mushfiq equally blamed lack of motivation from players’ part to play longer version game as a reason for not being able to perform at the top of their game.
‘Its not just about infrastructure, players also need to get motivated,’ he said.
‘First-class is not as strong a structure as outside. With regards to the wicket-preparations which are different outside, the teams outside are also very strong.’
‘In our case when first-class cricket began, our national players many a times don’t remain engaged. So competitively we don’t have pressure-filled matches.’
‘But if you look at the contests outside, some of the first-class teams even defeat national teams. So from that aspect, yes, if our first-class wickets are a bit more pace-bowling friendly then at least the struggle that we do outside then won’t happen,’ he said.
The wicket-keeper batsman asked the concerned authority to make a consistent effort instead of just talking about it for a day or two and then forget.
‘So these kinds of questions will be asked every year,’ he said. ‘It might be asked next year as well but the point is that we shouldn’t think about these issues just for one day, but we should remind ourselves everyday,’ said Mushfiq
‘As a player and as a team those who are involved with these issues, everyone from the board, I am sure they are working a lot but I feel that more commitment is required.’
‘Test cricket is such a platform that if you improve everyone will notice and this is the game that earns you the highest respect,’ he said.
-With New Age input
