After plenty of drama off the field, Bangladesh cricket re-shifted its focus back to the square as the national team began practicing at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National stadium in preparation for the home series against New Zealand in October, but captain Mushfiqur Rahim admitted that off field troubles could prove to be a distraction for the team yesterday.
The BCB had been pre-occupied with organizing its long overdue election after having received a court order giving it the green light. Later, nine individuals were named by the ICC as being involved with match and spot fixing during the Bangladesh Premier League earlier this year – giving the BCB more to do.
The 12 available national cricketers returned to the field for a skill training camp after the Eid-ul-Fitr break yesterday, after having completed a hectic three-week fitness camp before the holiday. Skipper Mushifiq said that the fixing scandals would not be a non-factor in the team’s mental build-up. “It’s obviously a distraction, but at the same time, you have to understand that we have an important series ahead and that’s what we are concentrating on,” he said.
“I am hoping to stay within cricket,and whatever’s happening, I obviously hope that it gets solved as soon as possible so that a good cricket environment can be regained,” added Mushfiq.
The 24 year old also talked about Mosharraf Hossain and Mahbubul Alam who are among those accused of being involved in fixing. “It feels really bad when your colleague is charged of fixing. This is not the first time that a player has been accused of match fixing, might be the first in Bangladesh, but the faster the issue is resolved the faster we can progress,” said Mushfiq.
The wicket keeper batsman thinks that apart from payment issue the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) helped the cricketers a lot. “Apart from payment and other issues, the standard of BPL has helped us a lot as cricketers. We want the BPL to continue no doubt, but we want to get our due returns for the 100% commitment that we give on the field,” said Mushfiq.
The skipper also talked about the “A” team who are currently struggling on their tour of England. “Definitely, the result, I didn’t expect it. But the ‘A’ team is playing outside after a long time and they are getting the opportunity which we aren’t.”
He went on topraise the performances of Anamul Haque, Shamsur Rahman and a few other batsmen who are getting runs over on the England tour.
Looking ahead to the coming series, Mushfiq said, “We began (preparing) before Eid. Before Eid, conditioning was being focused on more than skill. Right now the skill aspect will be focused lot more. So we will work accordingly.
He added that the team planned to prepare for facing left arm pace bowling, of which there are a few of in the Kiwi side, after the “A” team and the U-19 team return from their respective tours.
