Dependable middle order batsman Mushfiqur Rahim believed that a different Bangladesh team could have turned up against Sri Lanka if the team’s two key players Mahmudullah Riyad and Tamim Iqbal could play to their reputation.
Tamim Iqbal, the captain of the series, fared badly with 0 and 19 runs in the first two matches while Mahmudullah scored just 3 and 6 in two matches.
They have been carrying an off-form indeed since the World Cup where their performed badly. But the tremendous form of Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim saved Bangladesh from disastrous in the cricket’s biggest extravaganza.
Tamim scored total 235 runs in the World Cup and Mahmudullah 219, with just one fifty plus score beside their name. The bad patch lingered with them in the first two matches of the Sri Lanka series also.
Shakib is on leave as he withdrew himself from the series while Mushfiqur solely is carrying the team but his effort still is not enough to save Tigers.
“Our key performers like Tamim, Mahmudullah Riyad, those who performed consistently over the years, are not in form. When they aren’t performing it becomes difficult. And it’s natural that other players also get a bit more pressure,” Mushfiqur said. Mushfiqur also said, they are trying heart and soul but luck isn’t on their side right now. He believes, they will be back in form pretty soon and when they do, there won’t be any pressure on the other players.
“When they will be back amongst runs then we won’t feel that pressure. In the key match, big players can soak up the pressure. They can also counter-attack. I think we are a bit behind in that area. As I said, they are working really hard. As soon as they come back it will be better for Bangladesh,” he added.
Mushfiqur Rahim continued his great World Cup form in this series. In the World Cup, the wicket-keeper batsman of Bangladesh scored 367 runs with an average of 52.42.
