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Mominul Haque plans as Bangladesh’s new Test captain have had to take a backseat due to covid-19, which has led to the postponement of eight matches across five series. The latest in the long list of series to be deferred is Bangladesh’s three-Test tour of Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh has been badly affected by the pandemic, which means it could be among the last nations to resume cricketing activity. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) headquarters remains shut as it is in one of the worst-affected areas in the capital. These circumstances are bound to make it difficult for a Test team that has been struggling for a while.
It is now being led by Mominul, who was forced into the job in October last year after Shakib Al Hasan was handed a one-year ban for failing to report a corrupt approach. To his credit, Mominul has tried to face adversities – his first three Tests as captain have been in India and Pakistan – with a positive face, despite heavy losses. The reward came in his fourth Test as captain, when Mominul made a match-winning 132 against Zimbabwe.
Like others, Mominul too years for cricket to resume, but wants the situation in the country to improve first for everyone’s benefit.”Of course I miss the cricket, of course I feel bad,” Mominul told ESPNcricinfo. “Like everyone else, I also had plans for the year but we have hit a barrier. But we have to remember that this is not in our control, so there’s nothing we can do about it.
“We have had so many Tests postponed but the only ray of hope is that since this is the World Test Championship, we may get to play these Tests. We had targeted improvement in small steps. We were watching the pace bowling unit progress on their own after we had set them some goals. Players’ focus should remain intact, and we must keep remembering what we improved on, when we get back in action.”
Mominul checks up on his teammates regularly. He talks to the younger players, in particular, many of whom are handicapped because of the absence of gym and fitness equipment at home.
“I speak to the players, especially the younger lot, quite often,” he said. “I check on them, how they are coping with the lockdown. I speak to the senior players too. Tamim [Iqbal] and Mushfiqur [Rahim] have instruments at home and you know how hard they work on their own. Captaincy is about being responsible and taking the opportunity to do something for the country. Only a select few get to that level, and I feel I am lucky to be among them.”
Mominul also stressed on the need to remain mentally strong in times like these, where the only option is to remain indoors. To try and take his mind off, he spends time reading autobiographies, the holy Quran and sometimes motivational videos on the internet.
“As professional players, it is in our blood to be one with bat and ball, all the time. So it is important to be mentally tuned to yourself during these days, when you are locked up at home for two to three months. I think you can hold on to your fitness by working out for five or six days, but being mentally strong is the most important factor.
“Also one must remember that although we are getting unscheduled rest, next year we might not get for a breather due to the volume of cricket. So it is best to use this time for one’s benefit. Read a book of someone who has been successful, watch a motivational video or read the Quran. Use your time properly.”
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo’s Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo