“What’s happening to Mominul is unfair”

All in all, how was the South Africa tour?

I think it was a successful tour. Successful because we won an ODI series against South Africa (in South Africa) for the first time. Even in the first Test, till the fourth day we competed well. We had a forgettable fifth day, but up until the fourth day no one could predict who was going to win the match. This was the first time we put up a fight in a Test in South Africa. But the second Test was very disappointing. We couldn’t play well in any of the departments and the result also didn’t go our way. But still, this was our most successful tour in South Africa.

As the Test series happened after the ODIs, people are talking more about the failure in the Test series after the tour. Everyone has almost forgotten about the success in the ODIs. Does it make you guys feel a bit unlucky?

We are now used to things like this. I just want to say, what the Bangladesh team achieved in the ODI series in South Africa can’t be forgotten. Most probably, this is the biggest achievement in our ODI history. It came against a full strength team and right before facing us they defeated India 3-0. We shouldn’t look down upon what we achieved in this tour for playing poorly in two Tests.

You said utilising the players properly is your main task. So what is your formula to bring the best out of the players?

Whoever plays for Bangladesh, wants to do well. I try to make sure that everyone is in a good frame of mind, and is relaxed. To me, every match is a learning opportunity. In every match, I face new situations. In some situations I make the right decisions and sometimes I make mistakes. If I don’t repeat the same mistake twice, that means I am doing good as a captain.

As the captain in ODIs, I have an added advantage of leading a very experienced side. If I face any problems while taking a decision on the field, I can consult Mushfiq (Mushfiqur Rahim), I can consult Shakib (Al Hasan) or Mahmudullah. If needed, I take suggestions from Liton (Das), Miraz (Mehidy Hasan Miraz). The coaching staff is also there. I have said this is in the dressing room, they can send messages to me on the field if they feel it’s needed. I am not the sort of a captain that won’t listen to advice from the dressing room. According to the situation, I will decide whether I will take their advice or not.

Your understanding is also not the same with every senior member of the team. How do you manage that?

I believe I have good relations with everyone. I don’t think I have a strained relation with anyone in the Bangladesh team. For as long as I have been the captain, I have never noticed any tension among the players. I have also gotten answers and help from my teammates whenever I have asked for them – it would be wrong to say otherwise.

You said you take help from the young players while captaining…

In this series, I think after Mushfiq I have spoken the most with Liton. When I was playing under Mashrafe (Bin Mortaza) bhai, I would maybe give him 10 suggestions, he would take the one he thought was right and ignore the others. The same way, Liton, Miraz, Shanto (Najmul Hossain Shanto) give me suggestions, I take whichever one I think is right.

Out of the young players, who do you think possesses leadership quality?

It’s difficult to say from beforehand who will be a good captain. Many might have the quality, but you can’t say anything for sure before they actually become captain. Miraz, Shanto, Liton– if given chance can be good captains. But before the come across the situation, we can’t say for sure.

Mominul is a good batsman, good person, thinks about Test– that’s all said and good. But does he have the authority over the team like he needs to have as a captain?

Mominul is a very mild mannered person. But that doesn’t mean he stays quiet if you make a mistake. Now, everyone doesn’t need to see or hear that. It’s an internal matter of the team. Even when I or Mushfiq make a mistake, he lets us know. As we are seniors, maybe he phrases his displeasure a little differently. But he tells everyone.

There was some tension between you and coach Domingo a while back. Has the tension simmered down in the South Africa?

There is no team in the world where the players and coaches don’t have disagreements. About a year ago, Domingo and I also had a falling out. But both of us have forgotten about it and we have a very good understanding between us. We had a long discussion about the issue. We are progressing very well and definitely you saw that during the South Africa, you yourself were there. Before that incident, I had a good understanding with Domingo. But still if people keep talking about this, then there is nothing I can do about it.

You have taken a six-month rest from Twenty20 Internationals. What are your plans in this format? If you don’t want to play, why aren’t you retiring, why this six-month sabbatical?

(Smiles) More or less everyone can sense which way this thing is going. Definitely, there were reasons why I decided to take a six-month sabbatical. It’s not rocket science that no one would understand what is going on. I am a contracted cricketer of the BCB (Bangladesh Cricket Board). Whenever I have needed rest or I didn’t want to go on a tour, I have always clearly informed it to the board beforehand. Even in this case, everything is crystal clear, they know what I want. I will again inform the cricket board exactly what I’m thinking. Then I will officially announce it.