DHAKA, Feb 24, 2020 (BSS)-Terming Tamim Iqbal as his favourite batsman,
Bangladesh’s most dependable cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim said he has always a
competition with the opener and it is a healthy competition.
Mushfiqur Rahim displaced Tamim from the top Test scorer for a
Bangladeshi batsman on Monday during his epic 203 not out against Zimbabwe.
The diminutive batsman has now 4,413 runs under his belt in 70 matches
while Tamim Iqbal has 4,405 in 60 games.
“In Bangladesh, Tamim Iqbal is my most favourite batsman. I have always
a competition with him and it is a healthy competition,” Mushfiqur said on
Monday after hitting his third double century in Test cricket.
“Tamim always inspires me and I also inspire him. If there is healthy
competition between the players, it helps the team eventually. I also want
heart and soul Tamim to become the highest scorer for Bangladesh. But at the
same time, I want me to score one run more than Tamim.”
He continued: “All of the batting record of us is held by Tamim. He
always sets a benchmark. Recently he has scored 334 runs in first class
cricket. I told him I want to go closer to that score, if not I can break
that record.”
Mushfiqur said he is not flawless like Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal
and therefore he always strives for the excellence.
“Honestly speaking when I saw the highlights of my innings in TV, I
didn’t feel good. I always think if I can play a cover drive like Tamim or if
I can play the cut shot like Shakib. I know my limitation and therefore I
always strive for the excellence.”
After completing his century, Mushfiqur was adamant that he should bring
up the double century as the wicket was quite good for batting.
“You won’t get such day always. I always want to play big innings when
such opportunity comes. Normally at foreign soil, we got tough condition
where even scoring 50 isn’t easy. That’s why I don’t want to stop at just 100
and trying for my double century,” he concluded.