'I respect my critics'

Mushfiqur Rahim is the example of the ideal cricketer who has the determination, hunger and ability to work hard and achieve the unachievable. The first ever double-centurion in Test cricket for Bangladesh has grown from strength to strength over a 12-year international career. The Bangladesh Test captain talks about his immense work ethic, how he handles criticism along with his emotions in an exclusive interview with The Daily Star's Mazhar Uddin. The following are some excerpts of the conversation:

TDS: How has the journey with the Bangladesh team been so far since making your debut in Lord's back in 2005?

Mushfiqur Rahim (MR): Alhamdulillah it has been a journey full of ups and downs, which is pretty normal for every cricketer. There were a few moments which were not good and some were very good and even some of those taught me a lot and few which really makes me proud. Overall it has been a good 12 years. I think the way things went in the last 4-5 years I am happy for that and I will try to continue what I have been doing till I finish my career.

TDS: What drives Mushfiqur Rahim?

MR: I think playing for Bangladesh is the biggest blessing from Allah as everyone wants to play for Bangladesh but only few get that opportunity. I still believe maybe someone else could have been in my place or played even better than me but Allah chose me for this and I am really lucky. This has been the reason I try to be honest with my work and always try to improve myself. To me how I can do my best is important; not the result as I can look myself in the mirror and say that I have tried my best; may be the result did not went in my favour, maybe Allah is testing me.

TDS: You are known as the hardest working and most determined cricketer in the national team. At times when you fail to perform many criticise your workload. How do you see this?

MR:  It depends how an individual sees these things but I do what makes me feel that I have done my preparations and gives me confidence before going into the match. And until I feel that I am prepared I work on that as I am a big believer in preparation. I have a different mindset, tempo and touch which helps me perform well. I think obviously there will be bad times for a player and surely there is some problem so I try to rectify that before going to a game as I try to correct whatever is in my control. After playing 12 years of international cricket I am mature enough to know how much I have to do. At the same time I also think that age is a factor as previously I might have been over-excited -- now I try to work more purposefully but my work ethic is the same.

TDS: There was a time when questions were raised about your wicketkeeping abilities, and also as Test captain after you made a few mistakes. Your take on that?

MR: I think cricket itself is a big challenge and I think the best way to cope is to face these challenges and try to overcome them. Yes, at times it might look like things are not going in your favour but being a captain I always tried to do something to bring success for my team, but at times I didn't get that. At the same time you also have to think whether you have enough resources available at that time, or let's say I made a plan but the bowler is unable to execute that plan. For example, I set up seven fielders on the off side and the bowler bowls on the leg side but ultimately it all comes against the captain. And being the captain I have to take responsibility and I take it. But yes, I have full respect for my critics as it helps me to correct my mistakes at times and it drives me to return even stronger than ever. On the other hand talking about my wicketkeeping I enjoy the job; it's a thankless job but still I always try to improve myself and contribute for the team.

TDS: How do you feel when you see that you are the most successful Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman till now?

MR: Obviously it feels really good but I truly believe that there will be a time when someone will come and overtake me.

TDS: There were incidents sometimes when you weren't able to quite contain your emotions...

MR: I believe without emotion you can't do anything, as long as it is within control. I think nobody can achieve anything without being emotional, if you don't feel emotion for whatever you are doing then I personally think there is no value in that. If you don't take things emotionally along with being professional I think a person cannot achieve many big things in life. But yes there were times when I shouldn't have expressed my emotions but I did -- as I am getting older I am also maturing and trying to be more complete. So I think when your emotions work in the right way anything is achievable.

TDS: Being the Test captain how do you compare the performances in ODIs to those in Tests?

MR: I think ODIs and Tests are totally different and the most important thing is the amount of matches we play in a year – we don't get to play even half the number of Tests as we do ODIS. It's difficult for a team if they play less number of Test matches as the reason that we have a core group of five-six players in ODIS is because we have been playing this format for a long time. I give you as an example Mominul Haque, he has been playing for Bangladesh for some time now but still he is not settled in the Test side. When you have a settled team or unit, the individuals know their duties and role and as we play fewer Tests, whenever Mominul or Taijul Islam come to play a Test after a gap it's always difficult for them.We are still struggling in Test cricket but I think in the last three years we have improved a lot, maybe at a slow pace but to be honest we are a very good team in Tests at home, where we levelled 1-1 against England last year and we almost won the series 2-0. But I think the most important thing is to be consistent both home and away and we have that strength. If this group can continue for the next few years it will change Bangladesh's course in Test cricket.

TDS: You have been the main bridge of the five pillars of the Bangladesh team. How do you see that?

MR: In every team in world cricket there are is a core group and we also have that. I think it's something to be proud of. I think players like Tamim [Iqbal], Shakib [Al Hasan], Mashrafe [Bin Mortaza] and Mahmudullah [Riyad] will go down as the all-time best cricketers in Bangladesh. And I think our responsibilities are huge and we also discuss that amongst ourselves as we have a very good bond, having played together for over 10 years now. We discuss our weak points and it's our duty that a young player does not feel uncomfortable or find it difficult to cope. Obviously the juniors also have their contributions but I think the seniors have given the guidance for the success we had in the last 3-4 years.

TDS: You have completed your Masters degree beside performing your national duties. Do you have the desire for further education on sports?

MR: In fact I have already started as I have a plan to do a PHD on sports and at the moment I am planning to do a PHD on South Asian cricket. Education is very important because it will help you become more knowledgeable. As a human being I want my next generation to look up at their parents and realise how important education is, no matter who you are. My father and mother have always encouraged me to continue that.