Dinesh Karthik praises Mushfiqur Rahim for completing 5000 Test runs - What he has achieved is phenomenal
India Today
Mushfiqur Rahim, on Wednesday, May 18, became the first ever Bangladesh batter to score 5000 runs in Test cricket. He also scored his 8th century in the purest format.
Veteran Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik heaped praise on Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim after the latter became the first from his nation to score 5000 runs in Test cricket. The Bogra-born cricketer achieved the feat during the Tigers’ ongoing Test match against Sri Lanka at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.
Earlier, Tamim Iqbal was also in contention to reach the 5000-run before Mushfiqur, but he fell 19 runs short of the milestone. Mushfiqur went on to score 105 runs off 282 balls with four fours before Lasith Embuldeniya accounted for his wicket.
Karthik, who is currently playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), lauded Rahim for being the flag-bearer of Bangladesh cricket over the years.
"For any batter, scoring 5000 Test runs is a fantastic achievement and what he has achieved is phenomenal. Whenever you are a flag bearer or a torchbearer or doing something first, you are always looked up to and revered and that is definitely the case with Mushfiqur Rahim,” Karthik was quoted as saying on the latest episode of the ICC Review.
"A lot of youngsters try and emulate him in that part of the world and really enjoy him as a player. He has been very consistent and has scored in Bangladesh and outside Bangladesh as well,” he stated.
"He has led the country for a long time and has got a lot of credentials to hold up in good stead over a period of time, so I think he can be very proud of himself," Karthik added.
On the back of Rahim’s century, Bangladesh amassed a significant lead of 68 runs after the completion of the first innings. In 81 Tests thus far, the 34-year-old has scored 5037 runs at an average of 36.50 with eight centuries and 25 half-centuries.
