Mushfiqur: Even the best keepers make mistakes

It has now become a regular feature for Bangladesh Test captain Mushfiqur Rahim to face questions on his multiple roles in the national team. Mushfiq’s ability with the bat is never questioned but doubts always remain as to whether his batting is being hampered by his wicket-keeping and captaincy duties. The one-off Test match against India in Hyderabad earlier this month was the latest occasion when Mushfiq found himself in the firing line for both his wicket-keeping and captaincy roles. Missing a straightforward stumping chance of India batsman Wriddhiman Saha was yet another instance of Mushfiq letting his team down as a wicket-keeper. Following the India Test, Mushfiq said he has no problems performing all three roles and that the onus lies on the national team think-tank to take a decision over whether he should continue. And with the Tigers departing for Sri Lanka on Monday, it looks like Mushfiq is all set to continue with the three roles for yet another series at least. “There is hardly any wicket-keeper in the world who does not make a mistake. Saha is one of the best keepers I have seen. I try to follow him but there are times when he also does mistakes behind the stumps. He missed a catch (of Mahmudullah in the second innings of the Test). The situation could have been different for him if Mahmudullah had stayed and drew the game,” Mushfiq explained to the media on Sunday. “We always try to be on our toes. But still we make mistakes. Cricket is bread and butter for us so there is no chance for us to be disloyal. We always make effort to do our best. “There is the coach, the management and the board to decide my role in the team. I was not a keeper in the Asia Cup T20 last year and had played a few matches as a batsman. It was decided by the management. But if you ask for my personal opinion, I believe I will serve the team best as a wicketkeeper-batsman,” he said. There is also a debate that Bangladesh do not get the best possible service from Mushfiq as a batsman more often than not, given that he usually bats at No 5 and 6. He added, “We have a good team combination at the moment. It depends on the management if I bat at the top or not. The top order is not into regular runs, maybe that is why questions are being asked. I can bat at the top in future. I am ready for it if the team need,” said Mushfiq.