Member of the national selection panel, Habibul Bashar believes Mashrafe bin Mortaza still has a lot to offer as a player if he has the right level of fitness.
Bangladesh cricket fraternity Thursday was rocked with Mashrafe’s sudden decision to step down as Tigers ODI captain.
The decision by right-arm pacer Mashrafe came on the back of widespread discussions triggered by Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan.
Prior to the series, Nazmul had declared that the ongoing Zimbabwe ODIs would be Mashrafe’s last assignment as captain and that the board will look for a new leader in the next board meeting in March this year.
The BCB boss also said Mashrafe’s future as a player in the national set-up will depend on his performance and fitness.
The third and final ODI between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will be Mashrafe’s last as captain after taking the charge in 2014.
Veteran pacer Mashrafe bin Mortaza has announced his decision to step down as @BCBtigers ODI captain during a press conference in Sylhet Thursday.https://t.co/1S0jbPBXyv#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #BANGLADESHCRICKET #BANGLADESH #CRICKET #MASHRAFEBINMORTAZA #MASHRAFE #ZIMBABWE #BIN
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) March 5, 2020
“It is tough to make a statement on that [Mashrafe’s selection as a player] at the moment. He is not like the other players that we have. He is different and is a special case for us and him playing is a big thing. It is a big decision coming from him [to step down as captain]. I believe he still has a lot to give to Bangladesh, if he has the fitness,” said Bashar following Mashrafe’s decision at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
Mashrafe since 2010 has led Bangladesh in ODIs in two tenures and is the most successful Tigers captain, having won 49 times in 87 matches.
Mashrafe is followed by former Bangladesh captain Bashar in the list.
Bashar had led Bangladesh to 29 wins in 69 games during his tenure from 2004 to 2007.
Replying to a query if Bangladesh would ever get another captain like Mashrafe, Bashar said, “It actually depends. Bashar was irreplaceable when he was the captain. I led the side four years, after which the charge changed a few times. Captaincy varies from person to person. The captains before Mashrafe were unique and the one that will come next will have his own character.
“It is the duty of captain to stay with the whole team and play as a team, which Mashrafe did. I am sure he has set an example, and the next one can take inspiration from here.”