A special day for a special man

Mushfiqur Rahim's much-praised technique did not form overnight and this picture, taken during practice at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday, perfectly illustrates how hard the batsman has had to work in the nets to develop his game. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

A baby-faced boy just shy of his 18th birthday who showed early signs of his eventual high caliber at the ground called the Mecca of Cricket is now a 29-year old man about to play his 50th Test today at the home of Bangladesh cricket in Mirpur.

It's not like his arrival had astounded the world cricket fraternity but his talent was clear to those who can spot diamonds in the rough. Into his 12th year, the man from Bogra has established his position in such a way that people are compelled to say that to a large extent Bangladesh's batting now depends on him.

In May 2005 at Lord's, when Mathew Hoggard, Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff had toyed with the Bangladesh batsmen in trying conditions, Mushfiqur, who was a wild-card inclusion for Bangladesh's maiden tour of England as a future wicketkeeper, handled them with sheer technique and courage. That 56-ball 19-run innings is still fresh in many minds like his then skipper Habibul Bashar.

"Our first impression was that this guy had a sound technique. Many have flattered to deceive but Mushy does not belong to that dropout class; rather what he showed in Chittagong in both innings in the first Test is simply the continuation of his Lord's promise," said Bashar. "His instinctive capacity to apply technique is simply amazing. He had impressed everybody with his technique on his arrival and now he is considered as the most technically sound batman," he continued.

It was however a little painful for the former Bangladesh captain to reflect on the number of Tests one of the country's finest batsmen has played so far. "Undoubtedly it's a great achievement to play 50 Tests without any break but a batsman of his calibre deserves more Test matches. I still believe that only Tests can make a superstar but unfortunately Mushy still has not got enough opportunity to show the world his real ability as Bangladesh played few Tests in the last few years," a frustrated Bashar observed, adding: "Mushy is through and through an honest cricketer who always wants to improve."

Mushfiqur's Test average of 32.58 also saddened Bangladesh ODI and T20 skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza. "It's hard to accept that a batsman like Mushfiqur doesn't get the chance to play Test cricket regularly. If he could get enough opportunities I can tell you his average now would have neared 50. Look at his last two years' batting average in ODI and it could have been the same in Tests had he got enough opportunities," opined Mashrafe.

"Everyone knows about his ability as a batsman, so what more can I say. Just look at his two innings in the first Test in Chittagong; you will get the answer to why he is considered as one of the best batsmen technically speaking. His dedication is simply unmatched. Mushy has already given a different meaning to the words 'extra work'. Honestly speaking I am just hoping to see Mushy get enough Test matches to show his true colours to the world," he added.  

The lack of opportunity in Tests also frustrated Mushfiqur, which is why he said in a reaction to the auspicious day that: "It feels really good. It's not easy to play 50 Tests for Bangladesh and I want to thank God."

It would be fantastic if Mushfiqur can carry his form into the second Test to mark the day but he was not overwhelmed by individual achievements as he didn't forget that he was also captain of the team. "I will try to play well individually and contribute to a good result."

Many more Tests will definitely come for the right-hander but millions of fans will be hoping that the little man does something special in his special match.