ZCZC
BSP-27
CRICKET-MASHRAFE-MOTIVATED
Mashrafe motivated to prove himself: Salahuddin
DHAKA, Nov 30, 2019 (BSS)-Mashrafe Bin Mortaza is highly motivated to show
his credentials as he is set to return to the competitive cricket with the
upcoming Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), said Dhaka Platoons
coach Salahuddin.
The Bangladesh captain, who keeps him away from all sort of news after the
ICC Cricket World Cup, was roped in by Dhaka Platoons during the draft.
Despite being a player of A+ category, no team showed any interest to take
Mashrafe before Dhaka recruited him in the last round of the draft. It’s a
bit unusual situation which Mashrafe never faced in his career.
Mashrafe’s personal form in the World Cup was not satisfactory as he could
grab just one wicket and after the global event he was not in cricket, which
is believed to be the reason that the franchisees didn’t show their interest
to pick him up.
But this is the thing which could motivate him to come all guns blazing,
said Salahuddin.
“We have taken Mashrafe because we believe he will play the whole
tournament. We think he would perform well,” Salahuddin said as Mashrafe was
practicing bowling today, for the first time since the World Cup ended, at
National Academy Ground in Mirpur.
“He is bowling for the first time today after the World Cup. There is some
problem in rhythm which is natural if you bowl after so many days. It will be
okay after bowling some days in the net. But the big advantage is his
experience. He brings experience in the team, which you can’t deny. I know
him well, when he plays, he gives the 100 percent for the team.”
Salahuddin said he saw the passion in Mashrafe to do well in the
tournament.
“Mashrafe is more motivated than anyone else. He has been practicing
personally to get him fit. He is trying to be 100 percent fit. He has been
talking with physio continuously to manage his injury problem,” Salahuddin
added.
Salahuddin however said that they didn’t have any option to take another
A+ player after roping in Tamim Iqbal and therefore they had to call Mashrafe
in the last round of the draft.
“I can’t say why the other teams didn’t call him in draft. As per the
process, we can’t take him since we got Tamim as our A+ player. If we have
the opportunity, we will call him firstly.”
BSS/SMP/ARS/2007 hrs