By Syed Mohammed Pithu
DHAKA, May 18, 2020 (BSS) – Mashrafe Bin Mortaza has never backed out from
supporting anyone else, who has the true potential to serve the Bangladesh
cricket-a thing which the cricketers still remember with utmost gratitude.
From the Bangladesh’s most influential cricketer like Shakib Al Hasan to
rookie Saifuddin, everyone gets the support from Mashrafe, in the time of
their hardship.
“He is a true legend and perfect captain. Bangladesh will never get a
skipper like him,” Tamim Iqbal, the successor of Mashrafe as Bangladesh’s ODI
captain, said during almost every programmes of his recently popular ‘Tamim
Iqbal’s Live show.”
In his unique live show, which garnered praise from in and off the country
and created a sensation amongst fans during the boring time of lockdown over
the coronavirus pandemic, Tamim has already invited several senior and junior
cricketers, who acknowledged Mashrafe’s outstanding contributions to their
career.
Tamim first went live with Mushfiqur Rahim, who is considered as the most
dependable batsman of the country. Even though, his record in all of format
of cricket is envious, Mushfiqur saw the other side of the coin five years
ago, when the then head coach Chandika Hathurusingha was at loggerheads with
him.
Mashrafe was the one, who at this time of difficulties, stood by Mushfiqur
and gave him full support even when Hathurusingha seemed to have in a plan to
axe him.
“Mashrafe Bin Mortaza always stands by the cricketers, without thinking
any consequence. He has that guts and he always puts the team’s priority on
top,” Mushfiqur said.
Tamim Iqbal time and again expressed gratitude to Mashrafe Bin Mortaza,
pointing out how much impact he (Mashrafe) kept in shaping up his (Tamim)
career.
“No one is like him. Sometimes, it seems, he is from different planet. The
way he thinks, the way he gets behind a player, is amazing. If he thinks
someone has the potential, he never backs out from supporting him,” Tamim
said.
Another senior player Mahmudullah Riyad also felt the heat in various
points of his career due to his inconsistency but Mashrafe was the one who
always kept supporting him.
Even in 2019 World Cup, there was talk of excluding Mahmudullah from the
team, a decision that got shelved by the intervention of Mashrafe.
“As I felt the heat during various parts of my career, he was the one, who
protected me from every adversities,” Mahmudullah admitted.
When Shakib Al Hasan decided to bat at No.3 position in World Cup, the
team management and even many players like Tamim Iqbal, protested the
decision.
Everyone wanted Shakib in the middle order in which he generally bats. But
Mashrafe gave Shakib the much-needed support, going against team management
and the senior players. The rest is however the history.
Shakib Al Hasan scored 606 runs with two centuries and five half-centuries
at an average of 86.57, which made him the third highest scorer in 2019 World
Cup.
The ace all-rounder later expressed his gratitude towards Mashrafe.
Tamim said Mashrafe was the first one who thought which players could
replace the likes of Tamim, Mushfiqur, Shakib and Mahmudullah.
“He found the potentiality in Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Saifuddin
and started backing them in full throttle.”
Liton Das and Soumya Sarkar often said how Mashrafe kept them unscathed
from the criticism of the rowdy fans and cricket experts.
“I’ve an ordinary start to the international career. I didn’t get any
half-century in my first 17 ODIs,” Liton said.
“Even 10 of my scores was single-digit figure, that prompted the fans and
critics to lash at out me. At this time of difficulties, ‘Mashrafe bhai’ came
up with his support and forced team management to keep me in the team,” he
added.
Liton now possesses the record of highest individual ODI score (176
against Zimbabwe) by a Bangladesh batsman and considered as the next big star
after era of current senior groups.
Soumya Sarkar, meanwhile, had a great start to the International cricket
before he lost his momentum.
“Mashrafe bhai kept supporting me even when I almost forgot how to score
runs. He continued motivating me and finally I came back in the groove.”