Just another Test: Mushfiqur

As a player who played his first Test in 2005, Mushfiqur Rahim should be aware of the way Bangladesh's fans have, time and again over the last 15 years, criticised the Indian cricket board for being the only nation not to have invited Bangladesh for a bilateral series.

It took India 16 years to invite Bangladesh and that is a reason why many sports journalists in Bangladesh have already termed this tour as a historic one. One of the aspects that this tour amplifies, they say, is Bangladesh's progress in international cricket.

That, in short, has been the buzz prior to the Bangladesh team's departure for India. However, ask the Test skipper regarding this issue and he will shoot you down.

“Actually, I am a little surprised [with the reaction]. I don't believe that this is a historic Test. To me, this is just another Test. Yes, we are happy and excited to show the world what our team is capable of doing in India but I am not really thinking about the number of years after which we are going to play a Test in India. Compared to five years ago, we have got a good team and we are excited,” said Mushfiqur during a press conference at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday.

The New Zealand tour was one in which Bangladesh ended up losing every game despite getting into winning positions. The way Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur battled in the first Test depicted plenty of courage and yet they ended up losing that game. That is one aspect Mushfiqur wants his team to learn from.

“The target is obviously to do well. We want to improve with every match. And in Test cricket, we haven't been playing well in the last two years, but in the last series we did well. There were moments of individual brilliance. But the thing that we have learnt from the last series is that despite the individual brilliance you may lose a match. This is our aim, everyone has to pitch in; our target is that everyone plays well. India has fielded their best team. We will try to compete on all five days,” said Mushfiqur.

Mushfiqur, like the rest of the team management, does not really know what kind of a wicket they will be playing on in Hyderabad. However, he believes that they have done enough simulation in the last few days to be prepared.

“The last time I played in Hyderabad was a long time ago. [Bangladesh assistant coach] Richard [Halsall] said that they [England] played their four years ago. No matter what condition they offer, we are balanced that way. We have enough pacers and spinners and depth in the batting order as well.

“We have prepared for the conditions well. We batted on day 4, day 5 wickets and then again on other wickets. The pace and bounce will be true there, and I think for our batsmen it will be hard because their bowling is world class,” said Mushfiqur.