Mushfique feels the heat

[amar11432]

Mushfique feels the heat

Atif Azam

Until recently wicketkeeper Mushiqur Rahim was one of the very few players in the Bangladesh national cricket team who had little to worry about his place.

A sublime show with the bat in the post-World Cup one-day series against Australia, where he made 44 not out and an unbeaten 81 in the first two games, only made him more confident.

But Dhiman Ghosh’s return to form after two years in wilderness and some promising performance by GP-BCB Academy wicketkeeper Anamul Haque gave the new selectors ample food for thought now.

Dhiman had displaced Mushfique from the one-day side in 2008 and just when it looked like he was going to cement his place in the national team, the lanky glovesman from Dinajpur lost his way.

A decision to join the renegade Indian Cricket League put Dhiman’s career in total disarray as the Bangladesh Cricket Board banned him for 10 years along with 13 other players.

The board lifted the ban after they all scrapped their ICL deals, but unlike few others Dhiman could never make up for the lost ground until the recent National Cricket League.

His 593 runs with three centuries helped him win a call-up into the 32-member squad for the ongoing fitness camp, putting Mushfique under some kind of pressure for the first time in many years.

While Dhiman was always regarded as a better wicketkeeper, as was evident in Rajshahi’s decision to give him the gloves ahead of Mushfique at the NCL final, he only needed some runs to speak for him.

Mushfique is feeling the heat also from Anamul, the man of the match in the NCL final with 49 and 118 runs. If his batting performance does not show enough of his potential, Anamul also proved his credentials as a wicketkeeper, taking five catches in the first innings of the NCL final.

His man of the match performance in NCL final came only days after he scored a massive century (169 runs) for the GP-BCB Academy to help them win a game by an innings against their South African counterparts.

Mushfique also can take notice of Sahagir Hossain, his understudy in the national team for the last two years, who is also in the 32-member squad.

Top-order batsman Jahirul Islam is also waiting for his opportunity to make a comeback and if needed he will never hesitate to stand behind the stumps.

Mushfique is, however, aware of the challenges.

‘They [Dhiman, Anamul, Sahagir and Jahirul] are all very good and I am aware that they will try to upstage me,’ Mushfique told reporters on Monday.

‘I know I have to do better and better all the time,’ he said.

‘My target is obviously to play as long as possible and I will do that proving my worth.

‘My first competition is with myself. As long as I am giving my hundred percent I am happy,’ Mushfique said.

http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/sports/21503.html

[simon]

hmm,good that he realizes that.

[ashraful1]

Some really good wicket-keepers up there, all this competition can only be good for the team. I also think having different wicket keepers in different formats is a good idea but overall at least mushy is aware of his safety in the team.

Posted via BC Mobile Edition

[Equinox]

He is still the best we got. No one is up there with him, in terms of batting at least. And we aren't strong enough to play a specialist wicket-keeper. Anamul will get there but he must not be rushed. Dhiman needs to prove himself through A-team cricket. The rest aren't worth talking about.

[Avik]

as for wicketkeepers, it is good to see that there is a lot in the pipeline. but to me, mushfiq is proven material as a batsman, and he will get preference, and even can make the team as a batsman only.

[Isnaad]

I like it! Mushy needs to be stretched!

Posted via BC Mobile Edition

[nakedzero]

A very good batsman or bowler with wicket keeping skill should be the smart choice.

[WarWolf]

Originally Posted by nakedzero
A very good batsman or bowler with wicket keeping skill should be the smart choice.

Can you explain it please?

[magic boy]

at first glance I thought Mushy has also felt the unbearable summer heat in Dhaka

[M_R_H]

Originally Posted by magic boy
at first glance I thought Mushy has also felt the unbearable summer heat in Dhaka

Lol...

[max410]

His batting sucks he does not even have the height to keep or play shots better use jahurul good stroke player and more consistent as well

[Gowza]

he should feel the heat, dhiman is a much better gloveman and performed really well in the recent domestics with the bat, anamul haque is a future prospect. this might sound negative or harsh or maybe even rude to some but hopefully mushy becomes a specialist batsman rather than a keeper batsman. sure he has some skills with the gloves but he's not up to international standard and BD is a test playing nation. mushy has shown really good potential with the bat in tests, for me that's his big positive.

[samircreep]

Mushy's keeping has been solid throughout the WC and in the Aussie series. He's definitely improving

Let's not jump the gun here

[lamisa]

that's what i have been cheering about since ncl...

[Ace of BD]

Originally Posted by samircreep
Mushy's keeping has been solid throughout the WC and in the Aussie series. He's definitely improving

Let's not jump the gun here

yup....and no dhiman....his statements are well remembered abt his "home country Bangladesh"...and his, unlike others, were different when the players left for ICL

[Tiger444]

Well for right now I think he's safe. In T20s, I would have Anamul in there since he's a better striker of the ball. In ODIs, I would have still have Mushy in there. In tests, I think there should be a serious discussion. In tests you want to focus more on whose the best with the gloves and Dhiman is without a doubt. in ODIs if you drop a catch it can cost you 50 runs but in tests, if you drop that could mean 100-150 runs. So if it were up to me I would take Dhiman in for tests.

Posted via BC Mobile Edition (Blackberry)

[Tiger444]

Originally Posted by Ace of BD
yup....and no dhiman....his statements are well remembered abt his "home country Bangladesh"...and his, unlike others, were different when the players left for ICL

I was mad at the time as well but that was the past. If he can help our team then we shouldn't have a grudge on him forever and never let him back. His performances has him back in the fold.

Posted via BC Mobile Edition (Blackberry)

[Fazal]

Atlast he is feeling some heat.

Irally all 11 should feel some heat, without some heat they tend to freeze over time.