Mushfiqur Rahim finally faced the media after reaching a hundred in his 100th Test against Ireland at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Thursday. The former Bangladesh captain talked about various topics during the press conference. Here are the excerpts:
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On his 100th Test听
Alhamdulillah. To be honest, even I cannot believe that I would play 100 Tests, especially being a player from Bangladesh. It鈥檚 really a huge achievement. That鈥檚 not only because of me, but I think for any cricketer from any nation, it鈥檚 a proud moment. Obviously it feels good that I have been able to do that. That means my responsibility is more now. Insha鈥檃llah I will try to reciprocate that in the field in how many matches I play. At the same time, I will try to keep behind one or two players who can fill the gap in the dressing room.听
Emotions in the last few days听
100 Tests is a huge number. By the time I reach there, I hope that I have learnt [to control] these things, hopefully. I tried to be calm. I really thank the BCB for their planning on that morning. It really feels great, and I was honoured for yesterday especially. I think if there are these recognitions, then there will also be inspirations for the players. At least now I think that many players will think to play 100 Tests. It鈥檚 important to have that dream.听
Expectation with the 100th Test听
I try to give my best each match. Yesterday, before the start of the match in the team huddle, I said that someone might be playing his 100th Test, but the team always comes first. And I think, to Bangladesh, I, Mushfiqur Rahim, am the tiniest of parts. I tried to give the message that we should play for our country, and a win would be the greatest gift for me. So it doesn鈥檛 matter whether I score or not. But it feels good that I was able to contribute, and I would definitely want that we can celebrate by winning the match.
On his wife鈥檚 role in his life听
My wife has made the biggest sacrifice for me. As you know or can see, I practice more than others. But it couldn鈥檛 have been possible without a proper environment at my home. I belong to a joint family. She manages everything.听 It鈥檚 a huge thing. I was really lucky on that part. And if you see the impact on my cricket, it has played a huge part after 2014. So in that regard, I really thank her.听
Toughest moment and sweetest memory听
To play Test cricket for Bangladesh is the toughest. This is the biggest reality. And being a batter, this is the toughest. Every innings is so vital and special. And if you say the sweetest moment, I think my first double hundred will be the one. Because my ultimate goal was to lift Bangladesh cricket. After scoring that 200, everyone started to believe that we also could make big runs.听
On his future听
There鈥檒l be a four-month break. Then there鈥檒l be a Test series against Pakistan. As of now, I can only think of playing in that series. And fitness-wise or skill set-wise, I am quite happy with where I am now. But with the days going by, I will have to improve. As I have said, playing every Test for Bangladesh is special to me. I hope to contribute as long as my team management wants me and I feel that the team needs me. And being a senior player, by the time I leave this team, I hope that Bangladesh are in the top six. That鈥檚 one of my goals. The rest is upon Allah.听
On his process
To be honest, I am a boring person. And if you talk about my practice, I can do the exact same thing over and over. It doesn鈥檛 matter whether it鈥檚 for 20 years or for the next 40 years if I live, if that鈥檚 necessary for me and my team. I don鈥檛 compromise with my professionalism. Whether I score 100 or zero, that鈥檚 not my success, as that鈥檚 not in my hand. But the effort, the process, and the honesty are. That鈥檚 my only motto. It鈥檚 not only related to my cricket but also to my life. Even after playing 100 Tests, I was saying this in the huddle, 鈥業 am feeling like I am playing my first game today.鈥� I was that excited.
