Salahuddin praises Mustafizur’s mental strength amid off-field uncertainty

Bangladesh national team’s senior assistant coach and Dhumketu XI coach Mohammad Salahuddin has lauded Mustafizur Rahman’s mental resilience on Wednesday, saying the pacer has handled recent off-field uncertainty with remarkable maturity.

Responding to questions about Mustafizur’s state of mind following a series of disruptions, including tournament uncertainty, squad reshuffles, and geopolitical tensions, Salahuddin revealed that the left-arm pacer remains unaffected.

“I asked Mustafizur directly how he was feeling,” Salahuddin said. “He told me, ‘What’s gone is gone.’ Not everyone can think like that, but this is the best mindset for a player.”

The coach stressed that Mustafizur’s outlook offers a valuable lesson, not only for cricketers but for professionals in general.

“If something is beyond your control, there is no point trying to control it,” he said. “If you keep drowning in frustration over things you didn’t get, you lose focus on where you are now.”

He also added that despite having every reason to feel frustrated, the 30-year-old chose acceptance over negativity — a trait Salahuddin believes defines elite performers.

“That mentality is something I’ve learned from him, and it’s something others can learn too,” he added.