#360view: Shakib and Mushfiqur have a vital role to play

Joy Chakravarty 10:24 14/01/2017
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  • Mushfiqur Rahim (r).

    On a day he broke several batting records, including scoring the highest-ever Test innings and putting together the best-ever partnership for Bangladesh, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim have once again underlined how important they are in the overall scheme of things for their national team.

    Shakib’s 217 against New Zealand at Basin Reserve in Wellington was only the third double century in the history of Bangladesh after Tamim Iqbal’s 206 against Pakistan in Khulna in 2015 and Mushfiqur’s 200 against Sri Lanka at Galle in 2013.

    And along with Mushfiqur, who was eventually dismissed for 159, Shakib added 359 runs for the fifth wicket, beating the previous Bangladesh record of 312 by Iqbal and Imrul Kayes in that match against Pakistan in Khulna.

    The fact that all three double hundreds have come in the past four years is another proof that the Tigers are finding their feet in the longest format of the game.

    They have been excellent at home in the last couple of years – the 1-1 series draw against England late last year was the third straight draw against a leading Test nation. They had earlier held South Africa to a 0-0 draw in two-Test series and India in a one-off Test match.

    And in this entire process, Shakib and Mushfiqur have played a critical role. The all-rounder is without doubt Bangladesh’s premier cricketer, valued highly by Twenty20 leagues across the globe.

    He has been retained by Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League every year since 2011, which speaks highly of his value for the team.

    Shakib has had several run-ins with the Bangladesh authorities, as well as other players and fans. He has been fined [for an indecent gesture], and even banned [for ‘attitude problem’ when he left to play the Caribbean Premier League without proper consent from Bangladesh Cricket Board].

    Once that ban was reduced in 2014, there is a feeling that a more matured Shakib has emerged from the trials and tribulations. Shakib is the second highest run scorer for Bangladesh in Test matches and in ODIs and is one of their most experienced campaigners.

    On top of that, having 159 Test wickets and 220 ODI scalps help. He has the experience of playing all over the world and that is another priceless asset for his team.

    The 29-year-old Mushfiqur, who has played six more Test matches compared to Shakib’s 45, is just 91 runs short of becoming only the fourth Bangladeshi batsman to join the 3,000 runs club.

    Having started his career with just 194 runs in first eight Test matches, he is one of their most dependable batsman now, apart from being the captain of the team and a reliable pair of gloves behind the wicket. Bangladesh are enjoying the finest phase of their Test cricket history.

    They are playing well at home, and they have now started competing when away. And as they improve in the coming years, there is no doubt that Shakib and Mushfiqur will continue playing a huge role in their development.

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