With no cricketing actions around the world due to Coronavirus outbreak, Bangladesh Test skipper Mominul Haque believes that being mentally strong is the “most important factor” amid the sporting shutdown that left the only option for all the players to remain indoors.
Players across the world are on a forced break from the game since mid-March due to the outbreak of COVID-19 which has so far infected 9,714,951 peoples and killed near 5 lakh people globally.
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Bangladesh has been severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to the postponement of eight matches across five series for the Tigers with the latest Sri Lanka tour.
While the entire world is suffering from the last 6 months due to the Coronavirus pandemic and Haque stressed on the need to remain mentally strong in this time of global health crisis. The Test captain further revealed he spends time reading autobiographies and the holy Quran and sometimes watches motivational videos on the internet during the global lockdown.
As per a report in ESPNcricinfo, Haque said: “As professional players, it is in our blood to be one with bat and ball, all the time. So, it is important to be mentally tuned to yourself during these days when you are locked up at home for two to three months. I think you can hold on to your fitness by working out for five or six days, but being mentally strong is the most important factor.”
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He further added, “Also, one must remember that although we are getting unscheduled rest, next year we might not get a breather due to the volume of cricket. So, it is best to use this time for one's benefit. Read a book of someone who has been successful, watch a motivational video, or read the Quran. Use your time properly.”
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh star said he is missing cricket and feel bad being out of action for months since there is no timeline when they will return to action due to the COVID-19 crisis, but admitted the current Coronavirus situation isn’t in control of anyone, so players' focus should remain ''intact''.
He added, “Of course, I miss the cricket, of course, I feel bad. Like everyone else, I also had plans for the year, but we have hit a barrier. But we have to remember that this is not in our control, so there`s nothing we can do about it. We have had so many Tests postponed, but the only ray of hope is that since this is the World Test Championship, we may get to play those Tests.”
Haque signed off by saying, “We had targeted improvement in small steps. We were watching the pace-bowling unit progress on their own after we had set them some goals. Players` focus should remain intact, and we must keep remembering what we improved on when we get back to action.”
(With ESPNcricinfo Inputs)
