Mushfiqur laments missed tons and fifties
Mushfiqur Rahim's dedication and passion for cricket is well documented and the wicketkeeper-batsman was expectedly the first Bangladeshi cricketer to resume training through personal arrangement, forcing the Bangladesh Cricket Board to open its facilities for the cricketers who were willing to practise despite the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
Mushfiqur grabbed the opportunity with both hands and practised at the home of cricket in Mirpur after the BCB ensured proper safety for the cricketers who wanted to practise individually.
Although the BCB's schedule for the individual training from July 19 to 26 ended today, Mushfiqur expressed his eagerness to continue training for a few more days in Mirpur after expressing satisfaction over the facility provided by the board.
"First of all, it's (coronavirus situation) not in our hands and it's not wise to think of something which is not in our control. It was a difficult period for all of us in the last four months. We also tried to work on our fitness from home and this was the first time ever we have witnessed such lockdown for nearly four months. I would like to thank the BCB for providing us the opportunity to practise. I want to especially thank the cricket operations committee, which arranged the facilities in such disciplined and planned manner.
"Whatever practise we have done in the last seven-eight days was fruitful and I hope just like the other cricketing sides have started to return to cricket, we will also do the same although our perspective is different. I hope that we will be able to practise together as a team if things get normal after Eid. It's different working indoors compared to outdoors and I wanted to practise under the sun and do fitness and skill work," Mushfiqur told media in Mirpur today.
However, the 33-year-old did admit that he was worried initially while resuming training at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur but he gained confidence later on.
"Look, it's the call of an individual and If you ask me personally, honestly, I was a bit confused and worried initially while resuming training as you know that majority of Mirpur is under red zone. But once I started training, I gained confidence gradually after witnessing such neat and clean and organised environment. The others that have done individual training will agree too. I think if we get the confidence. even if not the whole team, at least four-five of us can practise together in near future," he said.
With the postponement of five bilateral series along with the Asia Cup for the Bangladesh team, Mushfiqur feels that he may have missed out on scoring a few hundreds and fifties.
"Obviously it feels bad when I watch games on TV and while watching the game, I also feel that I may have missed out on a few hundreds or fifties as quite a few of our series have been postponed. But I am trying to prepare myself mentally and working for the upcoming assignments. At the same time, we know there are a few changes in rules such as the saliva and a few things for the batsman. So, we are trying to learn from those things and hopefully when our international cricket resumes, we will be able to get back to our best," Mushfiqur added.
The former Bangladesh captain added that they are in touch with the coaches and support staff through online communication and said that he spent quality time with his family during this long break from cricket.
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