ZCZC
BSP-16
CRICKET-MASHRAFE-PERFORMANCE
I don’t play cricket to prove anything: Mashrafe
SYLHET, Feb 29, 2020 (BSS)-In the wake of huge criticism for his World
Cup performance and uncertain future as cricketer, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza
categorically said he is not here to prove anything or prove anyone wrong.
It is believed his place in the team will be entirely depended on his
performance in the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, which starts
tomorrow (Sunday) at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
He said what is important for him to give his best for the victory of the
team and he would continue to do that.
Despite being the most successful captain of the country and led
country’s cricket to another height, Mashrafe was severely criticized for his
performance in the World Cup in which he took just one wicket in eight
matches.
He later missed the Bangladesh’s three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka just
after the World Cup but critics continuously raise question about his place
in the team. Even the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) indirectly forced him to
retire from the cricket and at one point vowed to give him a befitting
farewell. But Mashrafe remained unfazed by that and continue cricket.
He was given the chance to play the three-match ODI series against
Zimbabwe, the first of Bangladesh’s in this format since July 2019 but the
BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon indicated that it would be his last series
as captain. He also said they would appoint a new captain, eyeing 2023 World
Cup and Mashrafe would have to prove his performance to make him available in
the team in ODI, the only format he is playing now.
While the criticism poured in from the BCB, the fans also blasted him in
social media platform, creating an immense pressure on him.
But like a fighter Mashrafe remained adamant on his stance.
“I can’t give anyone a guarantee that I will perform. In fact no one in
this world could guarantee about his performance. But what I can assure that,
I will give my 100 percent-it’s the basic thing that whether a player could
give his best,” Mashrafe said.
“The team management could raise the question that whether I have the
dedication. If my dedication is questioned, I think I have to change myself.
But no one can give a guarantee of performance. As I said earlier, I don’t
play cricket to prove anything.”
He continued: “I am not fazed by the people who questioned about myself
in the social media. If you say that I have to prove, sorry, I am not playing
cricket to prove anything. I am playing for Bangladesh, and every player has
the responsibility to make the team winning every game. Our responsibility is
to give our best. I always try to give my best. But no one can give the
assurance of the performance.”
BSS/SMP/MSY/1655 hrs