A big Bangladeshi media contingent has been following the Tigers in England. Generally the interest is high with any news relating to the Bangladesh cricket team and it has generated even more curiosity when the team reached the semifinals of the ICC Champions Trophy; a rare achievement for the country’s cricket. The demand is high to hear the voices of the Tigers in detail ahead of their semifinal clash against India on June 15 at Edgbaston and it was the turn of pacer Mustafizur Rahman yesterday.  

Nothing can be better than hearing something from a young star like Mustafizur, especially when the left-arm pacer had a dream debut against India at home. But as usual the reporters had to struggle for some sentences from the less-than-five-minute interaction, where the Fizz shortened his answer as much as possible while even ducking some questions. It’s always nice for the reporters to see his innocent smile, but the replies can be quite troublesome. 

The most important thing he said to the inquisitive reporters was that: “There is no end to improving. My cutters are more effective back home. It is not working that well here, but I am still trying.”

“We have reached the semifinals…..the players, each from their own position, have done well. With a semifinal against India in the offing, everyone is in high spirits. I hope that something good will happen,” he responded to the question about their semifinal opponents.

On his personal hopes against India, he said: “I always try to execute what I am thinking about. Not much, I try to give my best in bowling.”

Replying to a question about whether the pace attack will have a good impact, he said: “We always believe. If everyone has a good day, then I hope something good will happen.”

“Those who come, come because they want to see the national team play and because they love us. We try to honour them and repay their love and respect, and also of those back home,” he said when asked how welcome the adoring expats in England have made him feel. 

Questions continued from the reporters but the young paceman left the scene with a smile.