Mustafiz eyeing all three formats
BCB has always kept Mustafiz out of the Test squads to make full use of him in the limited-overs formats. He was not considered for Tests in the latest central contract too and he has only played 13 Tests in five years.
Mustafizur Rahman is not interested in playing Tests - many in Bangladesh's cricketing arena believe in this fact. The left-arm seamer has rarely talked about featuring in Tests and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has also never put pressure on Mustafiz to play in the longer format.
BCB has always kept Mustafiz out of the Test squads to make full use of him in the limited-overs formats. He was not considered for Tests in the latest central contract too and he has only played 13 Tests in five years. But there have been changes in BCB's plans as Mustafiz has been considered for the Test series against Sri Lanka.
Mustafiz has also talked about playing Tests and he said that he is eyeing all three formats. After the team practice session on Monday, Mustafiz said, "I want to play in all three formats. I am trying to work on my fitness and bowling skills which will allow me to become a regular in all three formats."
Mustafiz's biggest weapon was his off-cutter. Even though it was a mystery at first, with time it unravelled and also came the injuries. Since the injuries, Mustafiz did not look the same. Mustafiz is now working on his bowling to bring variations and for now, his target is to bring the ball back into the right-handers.
With instructions from national team fast bowling coach Otis Gibson, Mustafiz is working on his inswinger. He said, "Before corona, Gibson showed me some grip to bring the ball back in. I was working on that, it is good till now. I have work harder on it, if I can work properly on it, soon I will learn to bowl the inswinger."
Bangladesh team have started team practice from September 20. After starting team practice, Mustafiz is realising the difference between individual and team practice.
"Training at home is different. No matter how much you practice individually, to me training with the team is important. We have all worked at home. At first, it was difficult after returning, but now it is going great," added Mustafiz.
Mustafiz also informed how he adjusted after such a long break due to the lockdown. He said, "It has been a little over a month that I have arrived at Dhaka. At first, I bowled with a short run-up which I also did at home. I started all over again after coming to Dhaka. At first, I did some running and gym work. Then we, two bowlers bowled to a batsman. Everything is going well now."
BCB is working according to their plan for the Sri Lanka tour despite it is doubtful over the quarantine issues. The called-up cricketers practised for a second day at Mirpur on Monday. The final decision on the Sri Lanka tour might arrive on Tuesday, September 22.