Mashrafe Mortaza - The Irreplaceable captain

After serving Bangladesh Cricket for almost 15 years, Bowling All-Rounder, Mashrafe Mortaza calls it a day as he announced his retirement from the shortest format of the game before the first T20 between Bangladesh and Srilanka.

Mashrafe, who led Bangladesh in T20 series against Srilanka said, “This is going to be my last T20 series for Bangladesh, I would like to thank BCB, my family and friends, team-mates and coaching staff. I would also like to thank my fans who really supported me in the last 15-16 years.”

Mashrafe’s official Facebook page soon carried a statement that said “It has been a great honor for me to represent Bangladesh in T20 Internationals for more than 10 years. I believe that this team is currently a balanced one and there are some promising young stars. There were some bad and some good days as well. I always tried to make my fans happy. I am very sorry to each and every fan for not being able to make them happy in every match. Right now as a team we are playing good cricket. I am sure Bangladesh will keep on playing good cricket in the days to come.”

“This is high time for me to say good-bye to T20 format so that many youngsters can get the opportunity to showcase their talent and thus Bangladesh Cricket Board can nurture them for the future. Let me congratulate the new Captain in advance and I am sure the best is yet to come”

In his early days, Mashrafe was considered as a fast bowler and used to regularly bowl at a speed of 135 km/hr and play a handy knock lower down the order. He made his international debut way back in 2001 when he impressed everyone by his strong action and his ability to generate bounce from the wicket. In 2006, Mortaza was the highest wicket taker in the world with picking 49 wickets, which was also the most ever in a calendar year by a Bangladeshi.

Popularly known as “Narail Express”, he started off his T20 career back in 2006 and played his first International match against Zimbabwe at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium. Mortaza scored 36 runs off just 26 balls which helped Bangladesh to clinch a 43 runs victory against Zimbabwe.

His era of leadership started back in mid-2009 where because of his prominent leadership skills and growing stature, he got the opportunity to lead Bangladesh team for the Test series against West Indies but due to his injuries, he had to miss the tour. Mortaza’s career has been beset by injuries due to which he hasn’t played a Test match since 2009. Injuries also forced him to miss the 2011 World Cup.

He has played 54 T20 Internationals and picked up 42 wickets with an economy of 8.02 including one four-wicket haul against Ireland. He has played some handy knocks with the willow scoring at a strike rate of 135.61 in his 39 innings. He captained Bangladesh in 28 matches, winning 10 out of those with a win percentage of 37.03. He had to establish himself as a leader and help Bangladesh to reach higher echelons. His records speak for himself as he has helped Bangladesh to be what they are today. As a leader, his hallmark has been his ability to stay calm and composed in extreme situations.

The most pertinent thing for the new captain is to maintain the legacy which has been transferred by Mashrafe Mortaza and set an example for next generation and take the team forward.

It would be very difficult for Bangladesh Cricket to find a proper replacement for a player like him.

He will continue as the ODI captain in a tri-series in Ireland, involving New Zealand as the third team. From there, Bangladesh will head to England to play the Champions Trophy in June, which is expected to be his last assignment for Bangladesh Cricket.

He will surely go down in the history of Bangladesh cricket as one of those very few bowlers who tormented batting lineups during his heydays. He was involved with the Bangladesh team during some of their best times and will surely take a lot of positive going into the twilight of his ODI career. Having said that Mortaza will always go down in the history of Bangladesh cricket as one of the very best the nation has produced in their lifetime.