Burden of leadership lies on Mushfiqur
His determination and dedication towards the game was never in doubt even though Mushfiqur Rahim remained in the headlines for all the wrong reasons in recent times since the ICC T20 World Cup.
Following Bangladesh's dismal show in the mega event, the controversy over Mushfiqur's exclusion from the squad for the T20I series against Pakistan once again made the news after the 34-year-old expressed his frustrations over the reason the selectors provided to justify his exclusion.
Off-field issues aside, all eyes will be on Mushfiqur for the upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan, starting from tomorrow, where the experienced campaigner is expected to perform a masterclass with the bat.
Bangladesh started training at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram from 1.30 pm ahead of the first Test yesterday and Mushfiqur was characteristically present at the ground earlier than everyone else. However, this time he arrived almost two hours before the scheduled practice time.
Mushfiqur reached the port city a couple of days before the selectors announced the Test squad and it seems that his appetite towards the game only increased.
As one of the most consistent Bangladesh batters over the years, Mushfiqur has been in fine form in the longest format of the game, scoring two fifties and two forty run knocks in his last six innings.
And certainly the Test series against Pakistan will be a huge challenge since the onus is on Mushfiqur to share the burden of responsibility in the batting line-up alongside skipper Mominul Haque to fill the void of experience left by the injuries to the likes of Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal.
Bangladesh will also lack the experience of Mahmudullah Riyad, who had announced a sudden retirement from red-ball cricket in the middle of the Zimbabwe Test, earlier this year.
Going back to Chattogram, the atmosphere in the Bangladesh camp was refreshing with the inclusion of a few fresh faces in the Test side in Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Rejaur Rahman Raja as they earned their maiden call up in the national side.
Mushfiqur was seen all smiles during the training session and it may seem that the cricketer was enjoying his time out in the middle. However, those who know the 34-year-old closely can safely assume his urge to make a statement with the bat in the upcoming Test series only keeps inflating by the minute.
It is also important for the team management to show a positive vibe towards Mushfiqur and encourage him to be more involved when it comes to the decision-making, both on and off the field, so that skipper Mominul can benefit from his vast experience against a spirited Pakistan side.
Bangladesh's performance in the first part of the ICC Test Championship was disappointing to say the least. Now, if the Tigers want to bring the tides of fortune towards their favour, then Mushfiqur, being the only Bangladeshi batsman to score three double hundred in the format, will have to rise to the occasion and prove his doubters wrong in the only way possible.
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