Despite being rushed to the hospital after being hit on the head by a bouncer during the second Test against South Africa, Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim has said that he has no plans to step down from the role and will let the country's cricket board decide whether he is fit for the same.
The 29-year-old was hit by a ferocious bouncer from South Africa's Duanne Olivier during Bangladesh's crushing defeat by an innings and 254 runs at Bloemfontein. The defeat saw them lose the two-match series by 0-2.
Immediately after the incident, he was treated by South Africa's team manager as Bangladesh team had no doctor travelling along with them.
Though Mushfiqur was advised by the Proteas manager to leave the field, but he had decided to stay on. He was eventually dismissed for 26.
"Captaincy is always challenging, more so in a team like ours. We are ranked No.9 or 10 always, so there's a lot of pressure playing against top sides. The last two Tests didn't go as the last couple of years have gone," Mushfiqur told ESPNcricinfo.
Mushfiqur was appointed Bangladesh all-format captain in 2011. Though he attempted to step down from the limited-overs roles in May 2013, he was convinced to stay on and was then replaced as ODI captain in September 2014 by Mashrafe Mortaza.
However, Mushfiqur insisted that he needs more time to correct his mistakes as a captain after making the error of opting to bowl first in the two-match Test series against South Africa.
"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.
"Obviously all the blame comes to me being the captain. The board will decide about me, since there's a lot of time before the next Test series. It is not about what I want. I can't decide to stay as captain, neither can I leave it. The board has to take the decision and I am sure they will take a good one for the team. Country comes first, not the individual," he added.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan admitted that he was "surprised" by Mushfiqur's decision to field first in both matches. And though the captain conceded that he might have got it wrong, he wants the chance to make things right.
Both times, Mushfiqur explained that his decision to bowl first was based on the hope that his attack would get to make use of any early moisture or movement.
"The blame is coming at me, because I decided to field first in both Tests. Maybe I haven't been leading properly and that's why the team isn't doing well. This is why I am saying that I should be given opportunity to correct my mistakes.I haven't heard anything from them [BCB]. I said it honestly and if it hurt someone, I have to say sorry. I don't want to be the reason for the team's bad result. I always tried to inspire the team, and lead from the front. I am also a human being, and I am bound to make mistakes," Mushfiqur said.
Bangladesh will now aim to turn around things when they two sides head into three-match ODI series, beginning October 15 in Kimberley.
