I will try to be available for Zimbabwe series- Mushfiqur
Photo: Collected
|| CF Correspondent ||
Bangladesh wicket-keeper batsman Mushfiqur Rahim said that he is ready to take part in the upcoming home series against Zimbabwe, brushing aside speculation regarding his availability during the upcoming series comprising one Test along with three ODI’s and two Twenty20 internationals.
Since chief selector Minhajul Abedin told reporters that they will keep the same squad for the Zimbabwe Test, slated for February 22 and the second Test against Pakistan that they have announced for the first Test against Pakistan, there was speculation about Mushfiqur availability in the series.
It only grew stronger after head coach Russell Domingo insisted on Monday that they are likely to stick with the same squad for the upcoming three Tests as he wants to give the guys a good run though he added they are well aware about Mushfiqur’s contribution.
“I am under the impression that this is the squad for this one Test match. We will re-evaluate once we get back. You have to remember that Mushfiqur got runs in the last Test, but we also need to consider the fact that, it is hard to pick a batting line-up, change it for one Test, and then change it again for the third Test. I want to give guys a run, but we also need to consider that Mushfiqur was our best player in India,” Domingo told reporters ahead of the opening Test against Pakistan on Monday.
Bangladesh chief selector Minhajul earlier statement where he insisted that Mushfiqur is not fit enough and unlikely to be available for home series against Zimbabwe coupled by the impression Domingo put across that suggested he is also echoing the same sentiment indicates that the wicket-keeper batsman might have to wait a bit longer to make a return to the national team.
Mushfiqur, who opted out of the Pakistan tour due to security reason, is currently going through rehabilitation for his hamstring injury that prevented him from taking part in the first round game of Bangladesh Cricket League, country’s lone franchise-based first-class cricket tournament.
‘’I have a fitness test tomorrow or the day after and if everything is ok I will play in the second round of BCL,’’ Mushfiqur was quoted on Cricbuzz on Monday.
‘’There is no reason why I won’t play against Zimbabwe. I am preparing myself accordingly. I will be fit and will be available for selection. Whether I will be selected or not is not in my hand but I will try to play against Zimbabwe and not only the Test but we have a full fledged series against Zimbabwe and I will try to be available for all the formats. I will try to do well if I get selected,’’ he said.
‘’All I can do is try to be hundred percent fit and make sure that my performance is ok. If I am not available despite it [fitness and performance] than I don’t have anything to say and if I am not selected for this series [against Zimbabwe] than I will try to perform so that I can be available for the next series,’’ he said.
‘’But till date no one said anything to me in this regard and it does not matter if they said anything elsewhere because at the end of the day I will only act according to the way they want and If they take such decision [of dropping me] than I will ask why and take steps so that I can make a comeback in the following series,’’ he said.
