Mushfiqur happy with triple role
This might have been just a one-off Test, but there is no doubt that a number of Bangladesh's weaknesses were exposed in the process.
Their top order failed to perform in both innings, there were a number of moments in the game when their bowlers lacked consistency and hence did not seem threatening and they also lost the little mental battles on the pitch because of which they had to pay dearly.
One of the other aspects that the team management will definitely be talking about is Mushfiqur Rahim's keeping. There were doubts as to whether he would be keeping in this Test as well, since he had sustained a finger injury during the New Zealand series.
As a result, Liton Das was fast-tracked into the team following a double-hundred in the Bangladesh Cricket League as backup for Mushfiqur.
Eventually though, the captain seemed fit and the team combination also demanded that he don the gloves behind the stumps.
His keeping, however, was below par. He missed an easy stumping, which eventually cost a hundred runs and he was also late in reacting to a couple of edges.
Speaking to reporters after the match yesterday, Mushfiqur said that the he felt that it was a privilege to do all the three duties for his country and that he is enjoying it. He however said that if the board wanted him to quit any one of the disciplines, he would.
“My average is not more than 34 or 33, how can I be the number one batsman for Bangladesh team? So, if you are doing two or three jobs that probably means that the board or the management trusts you to do that.
“As of now, I need to deliver in all three departments really well. If I am not doing that, then the board can take the decision. But at the moment, I am really enjoying what I am doing. I love to spend time in the middle. I love the job.
“If something happens, then there are a couple of guys outside who can take the decision. But if you ask me, personally, I am happy to do all three jobs,” said Mushfiqur.
He was also asked if he was willing to quit captaincy in order to not take too much burden.
To that he replied: “Look, the captaincy is not in my hands. It's up to the board. They can analyse the whole thing and then they can come up with a decision.”
Despite an average performance behind the stumps, Mushfiqur was Bangladesh's best performer with the bat, scoring a brilliant century in the first innings.
When asked if there was extra pressure on him to perform with the bat because of the missed chances on the field, he said: “This is not some random cricket match. This is Test cricket and there will always be pressure.”
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