Focus shifts to cricket: Mushtaq lauds Bangladesh seniors, management

Bangladesh players have to battle not only Pakistan in the two-match Test series beginning with the first Test in Rawalpindi on August 21, but they would also have to brave their inner gloom after a devastating three months that have led to civil unrest back home. Mushtaq Ahmed, their spin bowling coach, is confident that the Tigers will be able to overcome individual grief for the greater good of the team, thanks to the positive attitude on display from senior players and the management. 

“All the players are excited about the first Test match. Seniors Shakib [Al Hasan] and Mushfiqur Rahim are playing a positive role with the guys. I also give credit to the management who has been good. The focus is on cricket now,” Mushtaq was quoted as saying to ESPNcricinfo on August 15 (Thursday). 

Shakib, who was playing for the Bangla Tigers Mississauga in the Global T20 at the time of the resignation of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, not only lost his seat in the parliament being an Awami League legislator but was also booed by fans during the remainder of the tournament in Brampton, Canada, which has significant Bengali population. 

It was during his last match in the tournament that the former Bangladesh skipper was involved in yet another controversy. Since then, he joined the national team in Lahore on August 14 (Wednesday) and has been practising with the squad. 

Mushfiqur, who last played a Test 10 months ago, is involved with the Bangladesh A side, who are playing Pakistan A in a four-day game in Islamabad. Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Nayeem Hasan and Hasan Mahmud are also part of the game, which has been marred by rain. 

Mushtaq, a former Pakistan spinner himself, has coached various teams including his nation, England and the West Indies before accepting the Bangladeshi challenge. Though the team have won only one Test series away from home (against West Indies in 2009), the spin-bowling coach feels that they have the quality to start achieving better results away from home. 

“Bangladesh is a good side. You saw that they challenged good teams in the World Cup. They are getting good fast bowlers. They are going in a good direction. If they keep learning and keep believing in themselves, hopefully, they can start winning games outside.

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