'I see it as a challenge to score abroad'
Mushfiqur Rahim on the perception that Bangladesh only do well at home, his captaincy tenure, and what lies next
"There's a perception that Bangladeshi players only do well at home. I have tried to improve this in my game, anticipate the difficulty of the conditions and bowling attacks" • Getty Images
I don't think anyone intends to score more runs only at home or only on foreign soil. I want to contribute in every series to the most of my ability. But it is true that I have taken it as a challenge to score abroad. There's a perception that Bangladeshi players only do well at home. I have tried to improve this in my game, anticipate the difficulty of the conditions and bowling attacks.
The Wellington hundred was quite special. I was out with an injury after the first ODI and neither the team nor I had a great record in New Zealand. By Allah's grace, I played a good innings. Tamim and Mominul should get a lot of the credit because of how they tackled the new ball and got us past the difficult part in those conditions. It became slightly easier for Shakib and I for the rest of the innings.
These days even 300 is not safe, particularly on a good wicket. I have realised that under the existing fielding restrictions, it is not impossible to bring more shots into your game. From the 11th to the 40th over, against spin or pace, you have mid-on and mid-off inside the circle. There are boundary options against offspinners and left-arm spinners. I have tried to improve my shots during this period. If you maintain a healthy strike rate, you can score fluently and the bowler is under pressure. The team also benefits if you have a 100-plus strike rate. Other batsmen, who take a bit of time to get settled, get that extra time and can cash in later on.
It is a combination of both. As a strokeplayer you have to shift according to the situation. It is a mental strength. You itch to play down the wicket, or play a shot against the spin, but you have to curb yourself. It is also a matter of practice. It has a lot to do with batting and mental skills.
Both are difficult situations, especially for Bangladeshi cricketers. We don't face these things frequently. Indian players are equipped to win from these situations at least nine out of ten times. We might face these moments once in six months, or even up to a year. It becomes tricky, as a result. When you get over these situations, you get confidence in your ability.
I don't think I have still maximised my ability to provide for Bangladesh. It is the only motivation. It is a luxury to represent your country for 12-13 years. At the end of my career, I want to feel that I have been able to justify the opportunity given to me. This is what keeps me eager. I set small goals, series by series. I try heart and soul. I have tried to maintain my fitness.
It should be the first and final word to represent a country. We make a lot of sacrifices by staying away from our families for months. There's no greater pride than doing something for your country. When you know that 18-20 crore [180-200 million] people pray for you - a rickshaw-puller may have given up on his day's earning just watching our match; so it drives me. You don't need any more motivation. There's no bigger privilege. A lot of talented cricketers started off with me but Allah gave me the opportunity [to keep going].
I am the sort of person who likes to stay in the background and do my job properly. Doing it well is the most important part. Any player goes through ups and downs, and my captaincy had those too. Last year's South Africa tour was hard for me as a player and captain. We didn't do well as a team. We should have done better.
A large credit for my consistency in the last four or five years is due to these four players. Life becomes easier when you are batting with Shakib, Riyad bhai or Tamim. Cricket is not an individual sport. Partnerships are vital, and all of us have had match-winning contributions through big stands. The five of us have tried extremely hard in the last four or five years, and we have found ways to perform at the highest level. It is a privilege to play with such a generation of cricketers. Mashrafe bhai is incomparable; Shakib, Tamim and Riyad bhai are all world-class players.
I definitely have similar goals, but my thoughts are always at improving myself from my last series to the next one. My childhood dream was to be a match-winner for Bangladesh, and I still cherish it. I may have failed in some matches but there have been good days. I hope to have more such good days, at least eight or nine times out of ten games.
A team needs momentum to do well in a big tournament. It cannot just turn up and win it. If we can do well in the Asia Cup and against West Indies and New Zealand, we will have confidence as a team, which is particularly important for a team like ours.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84