Mustafizur's absence also an opportunity

He was ruled out of the tournament due to injury the previous day but young pace sensation Mustafizur Rahman remained at the centre of discussions ahead of Bangladesh's crucial match in the Asia Cup T20 against Pakistan at Mirpur today. The loss of a bowler like Mustafizur was obviously a setback for the home side, which is why captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and coach Chandika Hathurusingha did not hide their frustration while speaking to the press yesterday. No one would want to have to do without their premier bowler in a crucial match. Even if you put aside the team interest, with Mohammad Amir expected to steam in to the bowling crease for Pakistan, no passionate lover of the game would want to miss a battle between two top-class bowlers. So it is a loss for both spectators and the home side.

But every cloud has a silver lining. Playing without Mustafizur creates a chance for Bangladesh to enhance their self-belief and reputation -- a good team cannot depend on an individual.

One could not disagree with Hathurusingha when the Sri Lankan said: "It's very hard to say if the other bowlers can do what Mustafizur is doing. As you know he is an exceptional talent. I am sure others will do what they can do well, that's what I am hoping."

One would also not mind when Mashrafe went so far as to say that there is no one in world cricket who could take the 20-year-old's place. Then, the country's most successful skipper might have reflected the spirit of a true team when he said: "Now we are not thinking about his absence; instead we are looking forward to ensuring the best performance from our available resources."

And over the last few years the Tigers have increasingly proved that they are not dependent on any individual to bring success. When Bangladesh ushered in a new dawn by inflicting a 4-0 whitewash on New Zealand in 2010 without the presence of dashing opener Tamim Iqbal, the belief started to develop that to become a force in world cricket they should ensure that they will not depend on any individual and have the requisite back-up resources.

Without inspirational all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh achieved two famous ODI series victories against West Indies and New Zealand in the years 2012 and 2013 respectively, and it was not long ago as the Tigers posted a massive 79-run victory against Pakistan last year without charismatic leader Mashrafe that paved the way for three historic series wins against sub-continental giants -- Pakistan and India -- and the mighty South Africa. Let us also not forget that the Tigers' pace bowling now excites cricket-watchers without the presence of Rubel Hossain; a trusted bowler who has had some outstanding performances in famous wins.

Mustafizur is the most vital ingredient in Bangladesh's recent emergence as an exciting pace attack in world cricket. The 20-year old left-arm seamer had noteworthy contributions to his team's consecutive wins against UAE and Sri Lanka in the tournament after an ordinary start against India, so his services will no doubt sorely be missed, but the Tigers must keep up the true team spirit that they have so painstakingly created, regardless of who is playing in Mustafizur's place.