‘I want to create panic among batters’

Mushfik Hasan easily grabs the eye in training. A tall, lanky pacer with a high release, some extra bounce and a bit of added pace.

This is the first time the 20-year-old has been called up to the national team, and he reported to training on Thursday.

The youngster comes to the squad for the upcoming Afghanistan Test with a great first-class record. In the 13 matches he has played, he has 49 wickets at an average of 21.30.

After his first day of training with the national team, the pacer said that his goal was to create panic among the batters.

“I will try to keep my lines and lengths correct and do something surprising. I want to try something to create panic among batters,” he told the media on Thursday.

Mushfik has had a rapid rise to the national team as he only got his first-class debut in the National Cricket League last year and then rose through the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s High-Performance programme and the Bangladesh A team. He was part of the Bangladesh A team that faced West Indies A in three four-day matches in Sylhet last month, where he picked up five wickets in three innings.

The right-arm pacer said that he will not try anything different than what brought him success in the domestic circuit.

“I played for the A team as I did in the domestic first-class matches. If I get an opportunity in the national team, I will play the same way,” he said.

The youngster, who takes inspiration from South African pacer Kagiso Rabada, said that his first focus was on lines and lengths, and then pace.

“I try to adjust my lines and lengths first. Then I think about my pace. I think from there, I feel well,” he said.

Mushfiq received a warm welcome from the squad on Thursday as Shakib Al Hasan congratulated him on being selected, and so did the Tigers’ fast-bowling coach Allan Donald.

“I am feeling very well after joining the training today (Thursday). I am not feeling something really special yet. I worked with Donald earlier. He welcomed me, said well done,” the 20-year-old said.

The pacer said that he enjoyed Test cricket, and would try to do well if he got the chance, and the same words would echo around the management too as the Tigers prepare for their one-off Test.