Bangladesh national team players warm up during a training session for the upcoming Asia Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Thursday. — Sourav Loskar

Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim urged his players on Thursday to concentrate on performing on the field in the Asia Cup instead of thinking about the off-field activities that has grasped the entire nation.
Bangladesh Cricket Board president AHM Mustafa Kamal omitted the name of Tamim Iqbal from the 15-man squad, prompting chief selector Akram Khan to resign, which left cricketers in an uneasy situation.  
But speaking at the team’s official press conference at a city hotel in afternoon, Mushfiq said as professional cricketers they must have the strength and courage to overcome the situation.
‘As a professional cricketer our job is to play cricket and that is where we should be concentrating as we are selected on the basis of that,’ said Mushfiq.  
‘We all talked about the matter and figured out what kind of difficulties we might face and we had a briefing on that.
‘The quicker we come out of the matter (off-field activities) the better. There are some young players in the squad and we are working on how to tackle the situation,’ said Mushfiq.
Mushfiq said that he has a good side at his disposal and is looking forward for the challenge in the tournament that begins on March 11 as they are pitted against the three strongest forces of the subcontinent.
‘I am looking forward to the challenge as they are all very familiar with the sub continent condition,’ said Mushfiq.
‘A lot of senior players are not there in the side and we have to take the responsibility.
‘I am happy with the team and with two new balls operating from both sides the inclusion of four pace bowlers are justified,’ said Mushfiq.
Bangladesh regards spin as their biggest strength but somehow came up with a new selection policy by including four pace bowlers.
When asked whether he was surprised not to see his name as the captain when the team was declared, the wicket-keeper batsman said that it indeed left him in state of shock though he was quick to overcome it.
Obviously I was shocked as the team was declared without a captain and a vice-captain,’ said Mushfiq.
‘But just a day later when it was announced that I was the captain and Riyad Bhai( Mahmudullah) is my deputy I thought it was all right,’ said Mushfiq.
Bangladesh coach Stuart Law also echoed the same opinion as his captain and believed that off the field activities won’t be a hindrance for the team to perform.
‘It shouldn’t be,’ said Law about the distracting effect of recent controversies.  ‘You need motivation to play for your country or you shouldn’t be playing the game really.’
‘We still got a few days to go before the opening game. We are still working on our combinations and working out on areas we could improve and attack the other teams,’ he said.
‘Regardless of the results I don’t think it would be a hindrance the way we play cricket.
‘As international cricketers we should go there and play cricket because that’s the thing we love otherwise we shouldn’t be doing it. If we love doing it, it should come naturally,’ added Law.