I am in Bangladesh to make future Shakib-Mushfiq: Taibu

Coming out of the dressing room at field No. 4 of Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP), Zimbabwean cricketer Tatenda Taibu asked, ‘Were you supposed to come?’ Yes, he replied with a smile, ‘Now it’s lunch break. We will engage in talks after I come back after 30 minutes.’

Coming back in time, he stood in front of camera with microphone at one of his hands and started answering questions asked by Yeasin Hasan, sports correspondent of country’s popular online news portal risingbd.com.

In the 29-minute interview, he talked about his career, Bangladesh cricket, BKSP coaching, his career that came to a halt due to dirty politics and various contemporary issues. First episode of the two-episode interview is being published today:

Risingbd: You are working for the promotion of Bangladesh cricket and showing your professionalism in doing so. Yet, I would like to ask you that would you not experience better feeling if you work for your country…

Tatenda Taibu: Of course. It would give me good feeling. Nothing can be alternative to working for the own country. But a distance has been created with my country and there are also many problems. I also had to face many hurdles. Look, certainly I have distinct familiarity and honour in the cricket. But I never got that honour in my country that I am getting here in Bangladesh. People want money, a luxurious house and an eye-catchy car where most important thing to me is honour. I will get delight doing work where I will be honoured and evaluated. Let’s talk about Bangladesh. People here in the country can understand cricket. They are evaluating my experience and giving me much honour. There is a working environment here. That’s why I am here.

Risingbd: Around one month has passed since you have been here. How much you have adjusted and what is your impression about the students you have got here?

Tatenda Taibu: First of all, I would like to say that facilities I am receiving here have fascinated me. I have traveled many countries in the world and got an opportunity to learn of available facilities in the cricket. All facilities are available in BKSP of what I have learned after visiting many countries. I was overwhelmed with seeing the players I worked with. They love cricket very much and do hard work. I enjoy working with the students here as they ask me questions frequently to know. I can say for sure that I could be able to prepare standard players for Bangladesh cricket.

Risingbd: You must know that Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim did their coaching in BKSP. Every year players emerge from here many of whom represent the national team. Do you think your responsibility has been more challenging now?

Tatenda Taibu: Not at all. Nothing is challenge here. Under these facilities, I am working for some guys who wish to be standard cricketers in future. I am really astonished to see their enthusiasm. I am cent percent confident that future Shakib-Mushfiq will emerge from here and they will not only represent the national team but also will be honoured in world cricket.

Risingbd: How do you feel about this coaching institute in Bangladesh? The facilities you enjoy here are enough for you? And what things are needed to do for further improvement?

Tatenda Taibu: An world class education system is available here which is very important for the improvement of cricketers. Facilities set for the promotion of cricketers are really praiseworthy as I said earlier. Again, local coaches are very helpful and love each player with heart. Those who are in the board of directors love cricket as well as BKSP which brings good feelings to me. Now the thing that is very necessary is a long-term plan and they have plan too. The thing I am trying to make you understand is how improvement we have been able to make within next ten years.

Risingbd: Now let’s talk about the sports… In 2005, Zimbabwe made a tour to Bangladesh under your leadership. That time, Bangladesh won first Test match. Can you remember that match?

Tatenda Taibu: Yes, I can remember everything. Everything happened before my eyes. Bangladesh won the first Test match against us. Really, we were delighted to be sure that another team emerged in Test cricket who has possibility and can also win. I can also remember that I scored a lot of runs in that series. My friend Enamul Haque Jr elected best of the series. He played very well in two matches. In that tour, I made a good number of friends.

Risingbd: The only Test century you secured in that tour. You scored 153 runs in Dhaka. You kept the match alive batting for around six hours. Can you remember that innings?

Tatenda Taibu: That was one of my memorable Test matches. That match took place in Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka. I hit a century. I made a massive partnership with Douglas Hondo.

Risingbd: Do you have any communication with former and present cricketers of Bangladesh?

Tatenda Taibu: Many became my friends as I said before. When I started my career as a cricketer, my coach was Bill Flower. One day he said to me, “You will be able to make a good number of friends across the world if play cricket. Really, it happened so. I have several good friends in the present national team of Bangladesh and also have a good communication with some former players.

Risingbd: What do you say if you make a difference between present Bangladesh and the then Bangladesh in 2005?

Tatenda Taibu: I think the 2005 national cricket team was a forerunner in the beginning of rise of Bangladesh cricket. The present team has retained the continuation of success of that team. The 2005 national team have made tours abroad and drew attention by playing cricket well. Players of the present team is getting that benefit and has kept the continuation of success. I strongly believe that Bangladesh team will post more success stories in the next 10 years.

Risingbd: What is your best moment during the game played against Bangladesh?

Tatenda Taibu: I must talk about the innings in which I managed to score 153 runs which is the highest score in my international cricket career. That match took place in Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka which is no longer a cricket ground.

Risingbd: Did you place your foot in the Bangabandhu stadium after that innings?

Tatenda Taibu: No. I did not get that opportunity to visit the stadium again. But I was surprised to see huge changes in Dhaka.

Risingbd: You have played with Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim. They are the big names in world cricket. Did you think they will be such famous players when you first met them?

Tatenda Taibu: Yes. When I first saw Shakib, I thought he would be a big name in the cricket world. He went to Zimbabwe in 2006 on behalf of team ‘A’. After seeing his practice, I thought that he can play well.

I first met Tamim when I came to play Dhaka Premier League. He played against our team. He was then yet to make his debut in the national team. He scored 88 runs in a match and was out in tenth over. I was surprised to see his performance.

I can best remember Mushfiqur when he was only sixteen. I played a warm-up match against him. I asked his name in the field and he replied, ‘He is 16’. Then, I said to him with courage, ‘You are doing good. Your future is bright. You need to do hard work.’

Risingbd: Mohammad Ashraful was then a superstar. But he could not extend his career getting involved in fixing after 2012. What is your evaluation about him?

Tatenda Taibu: I got very shocked after hearing such news about him. Ashraful is my good friend. I never talked to him over the fixing issue as I thought it was needless to ask him over the issue. Still, we are good friends. We have played many matches together.

Risingbd: Your job is to prepare young cricketers of BKSP for the big stage. What do you think about the key challenge in doing so? What is your message to the young cricketers?

Tatenda Taibu: My message to them is that they will have to do hard work. If you do hard work, you will never lag behind. I want they learn everything of their own accord. I will guide them but they will have strong confidence in them. In this case, cricket governing body should give more attention to them.

Risingbd: You have played Test match against Bangladesh. Bangladesh could not make progress in Test cricket the way it advanced in One Day cricket. In which area should Bangladesh give emphasis to make progress in Tests?

Tatenda Taibu: I believe wicket can play big role. Fahim (Nazmul Abedin) and I am in discussion over the issue for several days. I think BCB has enough money with which they can make wicket of two stadiums as bouncy wicket. Then players will be accustomed to playing in those wickets. Bouncy wicket can be beneficial both for batsman and pace bowler.

Risingbd: Are you working on making such batsman who can bat well in Test format?

Tatenda Taibu: Cricketers will be accustomed to playing cricket gradually. Regular practice can be the best way to make progress in Test format. To do so, I am regularly arranging three-day matches so that young cricketers can prepare themselves very well.

Risingbd: There have been many more changes now in modern cricket. Gaining success becomes tough without power hitting. Physical strength is needed alongside strength in batting. Do you give attention to this?

Tatenda Taibu: I am giving attention in four sides in terms of batting. For example, 1. Technical, 2. Tactical, 3. Physical and 4. Mental. With respect to coaches, many of them do three key jobs-- technical, tactical and physical. Alongside these three sides, mental fitness is also necessary to apply power during batting. I have elaborately discussed the issue in my team meeting. We try to cover all elements. You will get full strength in batting if these four elements are combined.