It’s now or never for Mash

Mashrafe bin Mortaza, who has undergone 10 major surgeries on his knee in his 11 year international career, is being very careful with his current injury as the veteran spearhead thinks this is his last chance to make a comeback in international cricket. The Narail Express feels any more damage will be the end for him.    “This time I am very careful about my injury. As you know I can’t afford any more injuries at this point of my career,” said a dejected Mashrafe at Sher-e- Bangla National Stadium on Sunday.   The right arm quickie’s last injury, a fat pad contusion on his left heel, made him miss the away series to Zimbabwe in March this year. He suffered incurred the injury during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) final earlier this year. It has already been more than five months since Mashrafe began his recovery, which seemed innocuous when it first occurred, but Mashrafe has a history of leg injuries and his surgery count is already in the double figures.   Still the pace bowler is working to make a comeback in style. “I have bowled 4-5 overs yesterday (Saturday) with short run-up and I bowled almost six overs today (yesterday) with the same run-up and I didn’t feel any pain.”   However, the 29-year-old is yet to regain full fitness. “Still I am not able to bowl with my full strength as I feel that the pain may occur again, but so far there is no pain,” he added.   Mashrafe gained some extra weight as he was out of cricketing action for some months, but the veteran is determined to get back in shape. “Right now my weight is 88kg. I lost 4kg in a month as I was 92kg, but still I need to reduce 4-5kg more to become fit.   “I have spoken to Vibhav Singh (Bangladesh team physio) and he informed me that still I need four to five weeks to become fit,” said the former Bangladesh skipper.   However, the struggling bowler, who last took the field in an ODI again West Indies in December last year, is confident of making a comeback in the national side in the upcoming home series against New Zealand in October.    “I am confident to make a comeback in the upcoming New Zealand series for one day and T20, but I am still not sure for the Test matches at the moment. There is enough time for me to make myself fitter and I am confident of making it,” said Mashrafe.