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Mushfiq giving interviews.[/caption] He was the captain of both one day and test team. He had chances of leading team
Bangladesh in world cup as well. But with BCB’s one decision, Mushfiq will be only the test captain and only a player in the World cup. He is not disappointed to not be the captain of the world cup team but he is very sad and disappointed in the fact that he has been removed from being the ODI captain of team Bangladesh.
[Read in Bangla: বেপারটা প্রথম শুনি মিডিয়াতে] How was 2014 for you? Mushfiqur Rahim : It wasn’t that bad. But it could have been much better. When you are the captain of a team, whether you perform well, if the team performs badly, it gives you a very bad feeling. As a team, the way we ended 2013, we should have ended 2014 like that as well. But at the end of the year we performed better which gives a big relief.
At least you performed well before the world cup. How much self confidence does this give to you? Mushfiq : This will of course increase my self confidence. Everybody wants to stay in good form before the world cup. As the last year went good, I feel more confident this time. But let me tell you one thing again, if my performance could bring success to my team I would have been much more happy.
Last year was a big year in your life. You got married in that year… Mushfiq : This year will always be memorable for me. Marriage life will stay with me the rest of my life. I thank Allah that everything is going well. I feel very lucky that she is with me. She and her family helps me a lot with cricket.
Suddenly you have been removed from being the captain of the one day team. And now you are the captain of only the test team. What do you say about this? Mushfiq : I’m a human being and therefore I will definitely feel bad. The team wasn’t being successful when I was the captain and that is why the change has been done. The win against Zimbabwe seems like the change has done good to the team. But I am really sad that my close people at least could have told me that, ‘we are planning this kind of thing, you are lacking in these things. And therefore we are forced to remove your captaincy.’ Everything would have been clear if it was done like this. The people in the board, their decision will always stand but if they inform us then we can understand what mistakes we made and how can we fix it. I heard about this first through media. This was very disturbing. If anyone would let me know this before, then I would know that I have a bit of respect in the team.
The board did not discuss anything with you? Mushfiq : I heard this can happen. But I didn’t even imagine that this will happen. Yes, at the last moment I had been informed. BCB’s main executive officer talked with me. But I knew everything before that. Who is the new captain, when he will be the captain, I knew everything.
You of course had the aim to become the captain of the world cup team. You didn’t even get that. Does this add to the disappointment? Mushfiq : I of course had the aim to become the world cup captain. I also suppose to have my captaincy till 2015. And therefore I had some personal plans as well. But unfortunately it is not happening. As I am not the captain anymore, I will try my best to help the team with my keeping and batting. And I married this year. I can give more time to them now. So therefore I would like to say that, Allah does everything for good.
You don’t have any pressure on you as you are not he captain. You can play freely and not being under pressure. Doesn’t this help? Mushfiq : If I have more responsibility, if people expect more from me, that is when I perform well. I always like to take responsibilities and challenges. My performance changes when I have responsibility on my head. Pressure also changes my game. It helps me to do well. Yes, obviously I can only concentrate on my keeping and batting as the rest will be done by the captain now. This can improve my performance.
Many people told that you are not that offensive as a captain. You have limitations of ideas. What do you say about captain Mushfiq? Mushfiq : There is no assurity that the captain is always perfect. Everything depends on the situation. I heard many say that why I didn’t finish Shakib’s over in the
Sri Lanka series. If I was more offensive at that moment wicket may have fallen. To be honest, at the plan we were going, by that plan 7 wickets fell. Unluckily, two easy catches of
Thisara Perera was missed. If he was out at that time, maybe we would have to chase only hundred runs. But they did only 180 runs, we were in good position. Mainly when Mominul and Shamsur were batting. It didn’t seem like we will lose. Cricket is an unpredictable game. Nobody knows what will happen. I just want to tell that, I have made mistakes. I am a human being I was supposed to make mistakes.
As a captain I heard that you do not take any opinions from other people. If any player is taken against you, you behave negatively with them… Mushfiq : Laughs a bit. This is completely a lie. Not only me, ask my team mates, I don’t think they will tell this as well. This kind of thinking was never in my minded whether I am the captain or not. My family did not teach me this kind of attitude. Before a player, I’m a human being. Maybe I play few years. But after that I am human being. I always want to truthful. This kind of thing coming into my dream is also unbelievable.
There are many conversations going on about you and Mahmudullah’s relation. If Mahmudullah wasn’t even performing well, he used to get into the team as you were the captain. Mushfiq : This is a lie again. Whether he is my relative or not, if he deserves more chances then he should get it. This only did not happen in Mahmudullah Riad’s case. This situation was in Tamim’s case as well. Except me, many other said. ‘He got enough chances as he is a senior player. We want an alternative.’ But I was the first person to tell that Tamim should get more chances. To make senior players like Riad and Tamim, minimum 7 to 8 years are needed. As he played well last 4 to 5 years, he deserves more chances. Through the grace of Allah, both Tamim and Riad performed well and this has done betterment for the country’s cricket. Everyone’s opinion is heard and through everyone’s opinion the teams are formed.
2015 will be a busy year for team Bangladesh. There is the world cup and few big series after that. What is your personal aim for this year? Mushfiq : The way we finished this year, we will try to do much better than this. I think it is possible. I want to perform well and win matches for the team.
You were the captain of the last test series. What is your future planning? Mushfiq : If any proposal comes from the board, then I will think. I am doing good right now with what I have.
