Mushfiqur Rahim’s face when he arrived for the post-match conference was masked by the gloominess of the defeat his team Sylhet Super Stars had just conceded. However, it was not tough to tell that it was not just the last-ball defeat to Chittagong Vikings that was the reason behind the dull face; several other issues also irked the obedient student of Bangladesh cricket.
“It is quite obvious to be upset. We could not get to the field with full strength but our boys tried hard,” said Mushfiq, although he totally dodged the in-swinging questions that followed with regards to his stance as a captain on the matter.
“I cannot tell you. It is better to ask the BCB and BPL governing council,” was Mushfiq’s version of the absurd incident that ignited a fierce dispute.
“There is no use asking me a question about this subject. I did what we were supposed to do. I followed the instructions. I was told to do the toss, I did. The coach and I selected the XI.
“Possibly there was miscommunication from all sides. I think they have to investigate the matter. They can answer you, there’s no point asking me,” he said.
About the players’ list provided without the captain and manager’s signature, the 26-minute delay in toss and a further 50 minutes to the start of play, Mushfiq said, “My signature was in the team list. I cannot do the toss without a signed playing XI. The match referee can tell you why the toss was delayed. My job was to do the toss. He said come after 10 minutes, and that is what I did.”
It was probably the shortest press-conference Mushfiq ever had been in as he stormed out of the media centre after just four minutes.