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Mashrafe Plays and Leads Bangladesh

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Update: 2020-02-20 13:27:44
Mashrafe Plays and Leads Bangladesh

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, charismatic cricket captain of Bangladesh, an elected Member of Bangladesh Parliament would lead the Bangladesh team again in the ODI series against touring Zimbabwe. 

Bangladesh would play 3 matches ODI series and all matches will be played in the green haven of Sylhet National Cricket stadium. BCB President Nazmul Hasan also a Member of Bangladesh parliament announced this at a press meet. He, however, also announced to go for long term captain soon giving indication of the future of Masharafe. The way he talked about Mashrafe was sounded not much polite and courteous for a person who served Bangladesh cricket wonderfully well overcoming his serious injuries. 

True Mashrafe struggled during the CWC 2019, true he should not have featured after first few matches. But he definitely deserves a hearty send off on his own term. He has taken Bangladesh Cricket to new heights sometimes entertaining with his own brilliant performance, other times encouraging his mates to earning great victories against top teams. Who else other than him knows his own measures? Why he has to be told when to exit?  If selectors have the courage and reasons they should drop him from the squad. But the question is, at the present situation who else can lead the team?

Bangladesh cricket at international level is looking down the barrel.  Bangladesh performance was well below expectation in CWC world cup finishing 8th among 10 teams. They were shocked and awed in the ODI series in Sri Lanka. It will be better not repeating the ignominy of Bangladesh team against India and Pakistan. Shakib Al Hasan is unavailable as he is serving ICC ban. Mushfique won’t agree leading the team. Neither Tamim nor Mahmudullah would be agreeing. Bangladesh cannot afford losing even a single match against Zimababwe. Who else has shown Bangladesh sunshine in grey grim darkness other than Mashrafe? But the question is whether he is match fit? If he is fit to play Mashrafee has not alternative even at this moment for leading the team. 

Hope Mashrafe has the prudence to assess himself and if he himself feels that his body can no longer withstand the rigors of international cricket he should hang up his boots with glory of sunshine instead of fading away. It will be extremely painful for his million admirers if he becomes a burden for the team. Persons like Imran Khan, Steve Waugh, Brian Lara, Kumara Shagrakara, Mahela Jayawardene have retired while they still had few more years of top cricket left in them.

Bangladesh cricket definitely needs moving ahead .Whatever happens one must not think that Mashrafe can last till next ICC World Cup in 2023 .Shakib will be back after October 2020 . But in the mean time Bangladesh will play some ODIs and T20 matches including T20 world cup. A new captain engagement may not be a bad idea. Let BCB talk more not in public with Mashrafe about his plans. Why BCB president should tell a big boy that if he remains fit and selectors agree he can continue playing? It is ridiculous, it is childish. Senior policy makers must be decent and courteous about heroes when they talk in the media.

Why not Mashrafe plays in one of the matches of MujibBarsho International cricket between International XI and Asia XI and retire?

BDST: 1327 HRS, FEB 20, 2020
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