‘When I go to practice, most of you are sleeping’

Mushfiqur Rahim, the first batsman from Bangladesh to reach the landmark of 5000 runs in Test cricket does not consider himself lucky. He feels that it is his hard work and dedication that earned him the accolades. Here are the excerpts of what he told the media after the end of day four in Chattogram.

5000 Test runs and century number eight, how are you feeling after completing two individual landmarks on the same day?

Mushfiq: Praise be to Allah. It was a bit hot. Our team goal was to get as close as possible to their score. We couldn’t take a big enough lead but the credit goes to their fast bowlers who bowled well on this wicket.

I am happy that we batted well, after fielding for two days. It is a great feeling to become the first Bangladeshi to reach 5,000 Test runs. But I am sure I am not the last one. There’ll be a lot of capable players among our seniors and juniors who can reach 8,000 or 10,000 runs.

Have you ever thought about becoming the first cricketer to reach 5000 Test runs when you made your debut a lord’s back in 2005?

My goal (in my debut Test) was to play the second Test (laughs). I didn’t do well on my first Test. Being a keeper-batsman, I always gave priority to Tests. You are judged by how many big hundreds you get in the format. I always wanted to play Tests for a long time so that I can make big achievements as an individual and a team. There’s no end to success, but I am very happy with my achievement.

A very patient inning and no reverse-sweep this time...do you think you have controlled your temptation very well this time?

I thought this would be the first question (laughs), that you got out playing the sweep shot. It depends on how the wicket plays. There’s no question of playing such shots (like reverse sweep) when you can play down the line. This is a batting-friendly wicket where you can back your strength to play your shots with the straight bat. I want to mention that I played three or four reverse sweeps in two of my double-centuries. Check out the video. Definitely, it is one of my high-risk shots, but I am not afraid to play it in the near future as well.

Looked like you had some heated conversation with Ashitha Fernando? Your celebration was also quite exuberant.

He was bowling at me in the heat. Both their fast bowlers were fantastic. Such a battle usually motivates you. We did exchange a few words, but that’s part of cricket. We later appreciated each other. I am sure I am allowed a bit of celebration after scoring a hundred, isn’t it?

A lot of praises came up after the success but you also had to go through harsh criticism as well. Even there was some indication about forced retirement.

(What is being said) is not desirable for a player. Only in Bangladesh, I have seen people compare me to Bradman when I score a century, but then when I don’t score runs, I feel like I should hide in a hole. I am one of the senior players so we are not going to be around for long.

But this is becoming a culture, so the younger players need the support. If I have to spend so much time tackling these things off the field, our on-field duties get affected. I think there’s no value for experience in Bangladesh. It is a huge deal to have played for 17 years. Allah has written what awaits me, and I want to perform that much properly.

You are the first Batsman to reach two very important landmarks, the first to score a double hundred and the first to reach 5000 Test runs. In both the cases, someone else was closer to being the first, it was Ashraful who was the frontrunner for the double and Tamim for 5000 Test runs. But in both the cases, it was you who became the first one, do you think you are a bit lucky on these occasions?

I don’t think it is luck. You can see my forehead. When I go to practice, most of you are sleeping in the morning. Allah looks over me, and only he is enough for me (reciting a holy verse from the Quran). That’s all.