Mushfiqur Rahim expressed that every innings holds special significance for him at this stage of his career, as he silenced his critics with a timely ton on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle on Tuesday.
The most capped Test player in Bangladesh鈥檚 history, with 97 appearances, was under the pump after a lean patch spanning 13 innings without a half-century.
He then rolled back the years with a knock of an unbeaten 105 runs off 186 balls that was full of poise and purpose.
鈥業t is obviously a satisfying effort. Nobody wants to get any fewer runs after playing for so many years for your country,鈥� Mushfiq told reporters after the day鈥檚 play.
鈥榊ou can鈥檛 get runs in every game, but when you do the right things over and over, hopefully the big score will come someday. When it comes, you have to make sure to make it count. I am not finished yet. I will try to maximise tomorrow.鈥�
The 38-year-old has fond memories of Galle, having struck a monumental double hundred there in 2013, and once again turned tormentor-in-chief for the Sri Lankan bowlers.
He did enjoy a slice of luck鈥攁 tough chance spilled by debutant Tharindu Rathnayake on 25鈥攂ut made it count, navigating a nervy passage in the 90s before scampering a quick single to notch up his 12th Test hundred.
He said that he wanted to enjoy every moment at this phase of his illustrated career.
鈥業 am towards the end of my career, so every innings is special for me. I try to maximise in every innings. I try to grab opportunities. Sometimes it comes off,鈥� he said.
鈥榃hen you have scored Bangladesh鈥檚 first double-century, it is always special. We have to take the next generation further, so there will be a 250 or 300 someday. It is important to take the lead as a senior player,鈥� the veteran added.
Mushfiq and Shanto made it Bangladesh鈥檚 day as the duo formed a record-breaking unbroken stand of 247 runs. But Mushfiq reminded that the challenges weren鈥檛 finished yet.
He said, 鈥榃e have to start tomorrow as a new day, a fresh day. We have to tackle the new ball. It is only 10 overs old. We will take the opportunity to score as much as possible.鈥�
鈥楾he wicket deteriorates here day by day, so we need to take a big lead in the first innings. We need to stay 80 to 100 runs ahead of them. But first thing, we have to execute our plans tomorrow morning,鈥� he added.
He acknowledged that, as a team, they were experiencing challenging times, so they required this kind of day.
鈥榃e are going through a difficult time as a team. We haven鈥檛 played up to our calibre in the different formats recently. We want to maximise the good start in this Test,鈥� said Mushfiq.
鈥楾he first day belonged to us, so now we need to win two out of the three sessions on the second day. We will be well ahead.鈥�
