A pair of gloves but two different players to wear those. This picture is not new to the world. Yet in our context, it is still an unusual scenario. Since his debut in international cricket in 1995, it did not take long for wicket-keeper Khaled Masud Pilot to reach an uncontested position. After that a long time has passed; many people now feel that this talented player has now arrived at the stage of retirement. On the other hand young wicket-keeper, Mushfiqur Rahim is looking towards the beginning of his career. In his test match debut against England, Mushfiq played as a batsman while Masud was in the team as the wicket-keeper.

Presently Mushfiq has already replaced Masud in ODI squad. But Masud remains the first choice for tests. This time around, both are included for Sr Lanka tour. Problem arises again-a pair of gloves! But even though, does it really matter? At least it doesn’t seem so from the way they talk…

First meeting:

Masud: When I met him first…probably in any of the league matches? But I heard of him once before, that a boy from the age group is doing well. I don’t exactly remember in which ground. But I surely remember how decently he played. In fact I closely got to know Mushfiq during the England tour. A little fellow, who was so well conversed. I saw his keeping, batting during practice sessions and I loved it.

Mushfiq: Well I met him in radio! Ha! Ha! Ha! just joking. In fact I got familiar with his name while listening to games in radio. Then I saw him in the TV, it was from that time I had a dream to meet Masud bhai face to face. Whenever I saw him, I used to nourish my secret dream of playing like him as a keeper for the national team. In fact he is a role model for any wicket-keeper of this generation.

Then in reality we met at the BKSP. I was then a student of class eight. We were practicing as the team members of high-performance group, under the guidance of Richard McKinnes. One national team members came to visit BKSP for some reason. I went forward to get introduced with Pilot bhai. That was the beginning. Then we came closer during the England tour.

Strengths:

Masud: Mushfiq id one of the most talented players of the country. Two of his characteristics have fascinated me. The first one is his strong willingness to do well; he is trying to do better everyday. He is working very hard and is never exhausted. All the time you can notice determination in him—I want to do better and better.
The second thing I like about him is that he is a person of very clear thinking. He has a clear concept of what he wants to do and he wants to be. He can pursue his goal through proper planning. Not only that, he is very tidy in personal life also.

Mushfiq: I always feel that Pilot bhai is one of the best wicket-keepers in Asia. Some may be born only to be batsmen, some to be bowl but what I feel when I see his performances, is that he is born to be a fine wicket-keeper. As a keeper I will say that he has no lacking. He possesses everything what it takes to be a brilliant wicket-keeper. Rapt attention, deep understanding and so on.


Weaknesses:

Masud: Listen, nobody is skilled by birth. Mushfiq might have some flaws. Even I might have had more weaker sides when I was at his age. Still after coming to this age, let me ask, 'Am I totally flawless?'
Mushfiq has some weak sides. But those are not to be exposed but to be corrected. He would overcome them gradually. No one can be perfect but he can get nearer to perfection as much as possible. I have already mentioned about his dedication, so I am hopeful about him. Besides at present players have more opportunities than us. There are different types of coaches now to guide them; several foreign players are also there to give them necessary tips. By making use of these aids it will not be very hard to fix one's limitations. And I believe that Mushfiq will be successful in doing that.

Mushfiq: No one is beyond weaknesses. But I never tried to find fault with Pilot bhai's performance. Perhaps he has some weak sides but I hardly attempted to figure them out.
But again I don’t want to turn Pilot bhai into a machine by commenting him to be flawless. The point is I always follow his strong points first counting him to be a top class player. Therefore, honestly it is not possible for me to find out his weak sides.

Off the field:

Masud: In one phrase, 'a very good boy'. He is very cordial and can easily become close with people. Sometimes it becomes troublesome when senior-junior get in touch. But Mushfiq’s case is an exception. He knows it very well how to respect elders, at the same time he also knows to cope up.

Mushfiq: Pilot bhai is very helpful. He never thinks of his position. If some one gets in trouble he tries to help him. Also a very funny guy in real life, he is a master of making merry. Above all he is superb team man, just the one you wish for, in a team.

Competition:

Masud: I don't think that we have a tough competition between us. It could have been so if we were of the same age. At this stage these issues do not really worthy. I have been playing for more than a decade now. It's time to look for a successor. When I won't be there I must remain as a blind supporter of Bangladesh team. From that position I would wish for a good player standing behind the wicket. I want to see such a player in Mushfiq.

If you ask me whether or not I find the indications, I will say 'definitely Mushfiq is the one in whom there is every possibility to become a brilliant player. I am not a fortune teller, but Mushfiq can be the best option if he keeps up his hard work. That’s why I have relation of affection with him, not that of rivalry.

Mushfiq: I think a little bit of competition is there. But it's totally positive. There is no space for rivalry. I myself take it as a way to do better. When someone like Pilot bhai is ahead, it helps me to move forward. It inspires me to become more accurate. That is why to me competition means to enhance my performance.