Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza lost his cool finally over wide discussion of putting an end to his illustrious international career. Mashrafe has made it clear that he is not embarrassed of the discussion over his retirement as he believes he is doing nothing to be ashamed of.
As it has been quiet for some time now, major portion of the pre-match press conference, ahead of the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, on Saturday involved questions about his retirement a topic that has been lingering since the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in July last. Bangladesh had finished eighth in the 10-team tournament with Mashrafe performing below par following which a major part of the cricket fraternity believed it was about time for the most successful Bangladesh ODI captain to hang his boots.
The topic gained recently after Mashrafe was named as captain for the Zimbabwe with strong argument if his selection has been based on merit.
“[Let me clear] about being embarrassed or self-respect, do I steal in the field? Am I a thief? I cannot relate shame and self-respect with cricket,” said Mashrafe to the media on Saturday.
“There are so many offenses committed around, they don’t have the shame and if I don’t get the wicket on the field, that would make me feel embarrassed. Am I a thief? I will be criticized if I am not being able to pick wickets. Why should I be embarrassed? I am playing for Bangladesh. If I can’t do it, they will exclude me. This is simple,” Mashrafe added.
“I am not playing against Bangladesh. Anyone can have bad form, but only if you are lacking in dedication or not disciplined, then you will be questioned. And another thing is which is very common all-over, you will be criticized if you are not getting wickets. But when you talk about self-respect because of not performing, then it’s not correct. I don’t agree with that,” he further said.
Mashrafe has come into the series with claims that this could be his final as Bangladesh ODI captain. Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan earlier in February has stated that the board will have to decide for a new captain in ODI following the series.
Mashrafe, however, informed there has been no discussion between him and the board over the matter and insisted not to comment on what the board has claimed.
“President [Nazmul] has said everything. I do not think it is required for me to inform the discussion I had [with the board]. You all know what cricket board has said and which is enough. I do not need to repeat those,” said Mashrafe.
When quarried if the series will be his last as a captain, Mashrafe said, “I do not know that. Like I said I do not have anything to say about it. I would have of course said if there was any. You all know what the board president has said. No point in listening to those from me.”