“Pain was their body’s way of telling them that they’d pushed themselves to their limits — which was exactly where they were supposed to be.”
16 and half years of International cricket, dozens of injuries, half a dozen operations, a bad back, a battered knee, a dodgy ankle and a bruised body that’s undergone rigours of 36 tests and 231 limited over international games.
What’s your take on Mashrafe Mortaza?
This, however, does not include countless domestic matches or those T-20 leagues, list- A games, and thousands of drills that Mashrafe Mortaza has extolled-perhaps with great servitude for his team- on his body.
Mortaza has seen it all, be it Bangladesh taking initial steps in international cricket, being crushed like minnows and then growing into a decent side of late.
Mortaza might arguably be in contest as one of the greatest ever produced by Bangladesh alongside fan-favourite Shakib Al Hasan but he is undoubtedly their finest ever captain who’s inspired his side to take their game to where it is today: wins amidst massive turnstiles of losses, shock and awe but all with pure effort and that hitherto less-talked about Bangladeshi grit.
So when the 18-year-old from Narail started his career against a Zimbabwe that comprised Flower Brothers, Heath Streak in November 2001, Bangladesh’s current captain’s aim was to bowl as fast as he could.
Obvious right?
But then, this was the reason why he was drafted in the first place and boy, did he make it count.
At a time where his team needed a spearhead, Mortaza was touted as the first genuine Bangladeshi paceman. But, soon, the excitement around his ascension would be marred by a string of injuries.
This sadly, cut short his career and hence you see Mortaza having warmed benches as much as he’s held Bangladesh’s hopes on 22 yards.
Sustaining a back injury in Jan 2002, two months from his debut wasn’t an ideal start. Then came a chronic knee injury that required an operation.
Furthermore, having sat out for an entire 2003, Mortaza played only 12 Tests in first three years of his career.
He would return in 2004, against India. This time, though, he was nippier and uncannily aggressive in pace.
But a real turnaround in Bangladesh’s Cricket would come post a patient wait- during which Mortaza did all he could, circa- 2005 to 2009.
Post their maiden Test series win in 205, Sri Lanka were hammered in an ODI in 2006.
Soon, Mortaza’s side defeated Zimbabwe in 2 ODIs, although a series breakthrough couldn’t be attained.
However, a bonanza victory awaited them as they went on to topple Australia in 2005 and then, India in ICC World Cup, 2007.
During all these years Mortaza was as critical to Bangladesh as a nuclear arsenal for a developed nation.
In spite of suffering multiple injuries – stress fractures, yet another back injury during September ‘05, and, unluckily an injury prior to Champions Trophy in 2006, his Test run was derailed. And came to a halt.
This was in the Caribbean, 2009.
A broken hearted but undefeated Mortaza, then Bangladesh’s go to man, only raised his game further.
Touring England in 2005, although picking only 4 Wickets at an average of almost 50, Mortaza continued to work and, impressed with the enviable economy; 3.88.
He was only 21 and had no prior experience of playing in England.
Furthermore, in 2006, Mortaza took a 6-26 against Kenya- the best figures by a Bangladeshi bowler ever.
But it’s shocking how his contributions have even until now, gone unsung.
When Bangladesh stunned India- 2007 World Cup- it was Mortaza who scripted that memorable victory picking up 4-38.
Make no mistake; Mortaza wasn’t consistently impeccable post-2007 heroics.
He picked up only 33 wickets in 32 matches at an inflated average of 41.
But post an early exit, World T-20 in 2009, Mortaza found his true calling, if it could be said.
Appointed as full-time captain for West Indies, Zimbabwe tours, under his captaincy Bangladesh won their first ever test on foreign soil.
West Indies were culprits of a mediocre game.
But, injury, ever his nemesis soon returned. And for over a year of bench-warming, he made returned to take Bangladesh to a memorable triumph in England.
Bristol roared with the Tiger’s grunt. But soon after, believe it or not, another physical anomaly marred him, this time hampering his 2011 World Cup participation.
Must it be asked, could there’ve been another player would have persisted like Mortaza did?
So when his body began to give up on him, even as his spirit didn’t, Bangladesh were anointed with a new captain: pocket dynamo Mushfiqur Rahim.
During this phase, wherein they were sweeping a New Zealand aside, Afghanistan would soon find themselves on the Tiger’s’ breakfast table.
But, new light shone in September 2014, as selectors decided to appoint Mortaza as ODI captain.
This would be a masterstroke.
It not only helped Shakib and Mushfiq to concentrate on their game but it gave Bangladesh an able leader once again.
During the next ICC 50-over World Cup, Bangladesh reached the quarterfinals beating England.
They would then beat Pakistan, South Africa and India at home in an ODI series, In 2016 they took England on the brink of series loss before losing a hard fought series 2-1.
Fans could note, Bangladesh were a different outfit.
And at this time, youngsters like Mustafizur, Mehdi Hasan, Shabbir Rehman, Taskin Ahmad were blooming.
However, it was Mashrafe who instilled the self-belief that shone on Bangladesh’s boys.
Their captain, who persisted, despite a fragile body but with his steely resolve enabled an underdog to establish itself in Cricket, even as current struggles marked by inconsistency continue.
Soon, in three years Mortaza rose as the most successful Bangladeshi Captain in ODI Cricket. 26 wins from 45 matches and, at a success percentage of 61- not bad, right
At 33, as Mortaza stares grimly at the twilight of his career, it’s hard to predict whether he will be playing till 2019 World Cup?
Must it be shared, he’s hung his boots in T-20s’ only to provide chances to youngsters.
Not too bad for a guy who represents a side that’s often marked by conflict?
So as the current edition of Champions Trophy might seem like his last ICC tournament, Mortaza, it must be declared deserves to bow out from a mega tournament on a high. Can he get that rare pleasure?
It’s up to you Bangladesh.
