South Africa vs Bangladesh 2017: Mushfiqur Rahim insists he will not give up captaincy

What’s the story?

It is a sorry state of affairs for Bangladesh cricket at the moment and the captain Mushfiqur Rahim is not happy, he is hurting a lot.

After enduring yet another annihilation at the hands of South Africa in the second Test, Mushfiqur looked disconsolate while addressing the media.

However, the skipper faced all the questions and insisted that he is not planning to give up captaincy and that he wants to lead the side through these tough times.

"When the team does really well, all the credit goes to the management and when we are not doing really well, all the blame comes to the captain. I can take it," Mushfiqur said after match.

The details

Mushfiqur also said that the country comes before any individual and hence the decision to axe or retain him as the captain is solely with the board and owing to the fact that there is a big gap before the next Test match, the decision can be taken with tenacity.

The diminutive batsman acknowledged the fact that he has come under fire for having opted to bowl in both the Test matches defying popular opinions and that his decisions might not have been always to the point and hence he should be given the chance to correct his mistakes.

The captain further said that he has always tried to inspire the team, but he is only a human being and hence can make mistakes.

In case you didn’t know…

South Africa got the better of Bangladesh by an innings and 254 runs, thus registering their biggest margin of victory in Test cricket.

With this loss, the visitors were blanked 2-0 in the Test series, and thus Mushfiqur Rahim is a man whose job is under scrutiny after reports have emerged of a strained relationship between him and coach Hathurasingha.

What’s next?

Bangladesh would want to put this crushing defeat behind them rather quickly since they will face the hosts in a 3-match ODI series which commences on October 15.

This series will be followed by a 2-match T20I series, where Mashrafe Mortaza will assume the mantle of the side.

Author’s take

The fact that Bangladesh lost the Test matches without offering even the remotest bit of resistance will only raise questions about their technique and temperament in conditions which are alien.

Also, Mushfiqur may sound defiant, but the fact that the did commit mistakes while reading the conditions and the nature of the pitches will also put his knowledge of the game under the scanner.