Rahim: I’m priviledged to captain this team

Cricket365
May 4, 2015

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim reacted to his side's draw against Pakistan in Khulna as though his lads had won the Test, saying he was 'privileged' to lead the Tigers after they pulled off a big turn-around.

The match was filled with runs, with Pakistan scoring 628 in their only innings and Mohammad Hafeez scoring a double ton. But that score could have been bigger if not for a Taijul Islam six-fer, and then Bangladesh made 555/6 to draw the game.

That was mostly thanks to a triple century stand, a first in Tests for the Tigers, between Imrul Kayes and Tamim Iqbal. The former made 150, while the latter recorded his maiden Test double ton.

Rahim said after the match: "It is a great achievement. All credit to the boys. The way Tamim and Imrul batted, it was unbelievable.

"It was difficult to take 20 wickets on the pitch. The top order took the responsibility. I am privileged to be the captain of this team."

Tamim, who began day five already in the 130s and went on to make 206, said: "I am very pleased. Whatever I planned came off nicely.

"I played my role, Imrul played his role, Shakib and Mahmudullah did their job. It was a team effort."

As for Kayes, his achievement was even more incredible considering he'd kept wicket for 120 overs before batting. He stood up in place of Rahim, who was injured, and had never kept wicket at such a level before.

He explained his thoughts about the situation on Cricinfo: "When Mushfiqur got injured, nobody knew who would be taking over his wicketkeeping duties. I volunteered ahead of others.

"I had kept wickets before in a few tournaments but never at this level. Then you know what happened. I stood behind for 120 overs and it was a lot of hard work. You realise what a wicketkeeper has to go through day in day out.

"When I got to the crease, I wasn't thinking clearly. I felt very weak, my body was aching. Tamim started to hit from the other end but I thought I would just hold my own for a while before I got the willingness to play my shots.

"They were sledging at me, 'He kept wickets for 120 overs, how can he bat now?' But I didn't say anything. Later, after the hundred, they congratulated me and said that I did a great job given that I am not a professional wicketkeeper and I still did the job and came out to bat.

"It was a very challenging day for me but you want to do something for your country and it may be painful but you feel happy at the end of the day."