'Hope fixing issue is solved soon'

Mushfiqur Rahim

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim has said that he hoped for a quick end to the country's fixing episode so that the team management can concentrate on the upcoming series against New Zealand. Speaking to reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday during the national team's training camp, Mushfiqur urged the board to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
“It really feels bad when a number of your colleagues are charged for fixing. Players have been accused before but this is the first time for Bangladesh. I obviously hope that it gets solved as soon as possible so that a good cricket environment can be regained,” he said.
“It obviously is a distraction for the players on the field, but we have an important series coming up and we need to concentrate on that. We all have to learn from this experience so that players, no matter which age group they belong to don't commit such mistakes,” he added.
Despite the controversies surrounding the Bangladesh Premier League, the captain was of the opinion that the competition should continue.
“Apart from the payment and other problems, I think the standard of cricket played in the league helped a number of us. I want the BPL to continue, but what we also want is to get our due returns off the field. If we give our 100 per cent on the field and don't get our returns then that's just going to be a waste of time,” said Mushfiqur.
The resumption of the camp will see the players concentrate more on their skills than fitness, which was the focus before the Eid break. The post-Eid training camp will, according to Mushfiqur, be more 'Kiwi-centric'.
“We are doing our homework. They have three to four left-arm seamers and we are preparing for that. Since we don't have too many left-arm seamers in the squad, the U-19 boys will join the camp once they return as they do,” said Mushfiqur.
“The last time they (New Zealand) went to England they beat them in their own den, so that is a big deal. We did whitewash them the last time they came here, but things have changed. They have improved a lot and we have to be ready,” he added.
With regards to the disappointing performance of the Bangladesh A team which lost five games on the trot against different county sides, Mushfiqur said, “It wasn't the result that we expected. But at least the players in the team are getting the opportunity to play in those conditions and that's definitely going to help.”
“The good thing is that batsmen like Shamsur (Rahman) and (Anamul Haque) Bijoy have been among the runs. Hopefully they can do better against the England Lions in the three games that they play from Tuesday onwards,” he added.