Former Bangladesh Test captain Mushfiqur Rahim has stated that the team could win the second Test even in the absence of Shakib Al Hasan.

The batting-wicketkeeper, who recently became a father, admitted that despite the absence of Shakib Al Hasan, the team can do well in the second Tests due to the quality of the other bowlers.

‘Shakib [Al Hasan] might not be there in the bowling department, but we have full faith in the ones that are there. If they can perform, then we will definitely have a good result in the Tests.’

He also asked about Mahmudullah Riyad’s captaincy. The stand-in Test captain has been a captain in the domestic level and his teams also do well under his leadership, something that Rahim highlighted before stating that Riyad inspires him.

‘I thought it was great [Riyad’s captaincy]. I feel like he made some good decisions during the match. You have seen that he always leads his sides well in the BPL and the Premier League. His performances with the bat [as a captain] is also great as he believes in leading from the front.

‘I think he gave us a message to play with heart and soul, something that also inspired me. So I am hoping that everyone in the squad is raring to go in the second Test under his leadership.’

In the first Test in Chittagong, Liton Das kept the wickets instead of Mushfiqur Rahim, who was fielding. When asked about the change in role, he emphasized that while being a wicketkeeper allows one to understand the pitch, it is not much of a big issue to field in the outfield.

‘I always enjoy myself, be it in ‘keeping or fielding. However, being a ‘keeper is a little difference since everything can be understood from behind [the stumps]. Even if you don’t bat first, you can understand the pitch [by keeping wickets].

‘So I always try to talk to whoever is keeping, so that I can stay informed. But I also think that it is not such a big deal since it is only a change in position, so I have adjusted to it.