'I would have gone there' - Mashrafe Mortaza has no issues in touring Pakistan

As the world cricket awaits Bangladesh’s decision on their impending tour of Pakistan, veteran pacer Mashrafe Mortaza has commented on the same. Pakistan are currently awaiting a final decision from Bangladesh on whether it will play two Tests and two T20Is in Pakistan later this month. Bangladesh have shown hesitation citing security reasons although Sri Lanka recently toured Pakistan for a two-match Test series.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officials have stated that while they have no objections to playing the T20 series in Pakistan, playing the two Tests is not possible due to security concerns. On the other hand, their head coach Russel Domingo has said he would have no problems going to Pakistan for the T20 and Test series if the BCB cleared the tour.

With nothing working out, the BCB has even suggested playing one Test in Pakistan and the second one in Bangladesh to make the ICC World Test Championship series more interesting and rewarding for both the boards. However, Pakistan turned down the decision, stating that it is a home series and both Tests must be played in Pakistan.

And before the BCB could reveal their final answer, Mashrafe Mortaza has said he would have no hesitation in going to Pakistan provided that his family is fine with it. The star pacer said that on a personal level, he has no problem whatsoever in visiting Pakistan. Mortaza, meanwhile, has retired from Tests and T20Is and thus he would not be a part of the tour when Bangladesh visit Pakistan.

“To be honest if you ask me, I would have gone to Pakistan but obviously I would have consulted with my family. But if you only ask me about going to Pakistan or not, I would say yes, I would go,” Mashrafe Mortaza told the media on Saturday as quoted by The Daily Star.

Mashrafe Mortaza opens up on retirement

Meanwhile, Mashrafe Mortaza has insisted that he has no plans of retiring from the game. He has not played for Bangladesh since the World Cup in July. After a lengthy injury layoff, he returned to action in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League.

“You can say that everybody is making me retire from the cricket. I don’t carry any complain for anyone. And I have not decided anything about retirement. If the board says something than I will think about it but I am enjoying the game. I haven’t taken any decision on whether I will retire from the field but if the Cricket Board has that sort of plan than definitely I will rethink about it,” Mortaza said.

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