Coming out of the dressing room, he was having a look on the on-going practice match. While team mates were preparing themselves for the next level, he was walking to the Academy field. In every case the best pacer of Bangladesh National cricket team was alone. Yes, it’s Mashrafe Bin Mortoza, the ‘Norail Express’. His injury is now the concern for Bangladesh.
For the last six months, from cricket field to cricket lovers, everyone in now concernd about Mashrafes’ return in cricket; and so the selectors. Chief selector Akram khan is also surprised, ‘last may, there was a possibility of return. So, why he is not catch up his fitness now?
‘Fighting with injury’ is now the other name of Mashrafe. But, this time it’s taking so much time. In the last Asia Cup and the West Indies series, he played for the team. Then in Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) again he caught by injury.
Till then, everyone is waiting for his come-back. So, the selectors are getting desperate now. They are planning to send him to England with the ‘A’ team. Now, the question arises that, is ‘Mashrafe fit for this tour?’ while talking with Mashrafe, it seems that he is not enough confident, ‘Akram Bhai discussed it with me. I’m ready to play. It will be positive for me to play in England. But, I’m concern with my knee. Still, I’m trying hard. But, I’m standing in such a position, where I wouldn't get another chance, if I again fall in injury. It will be so difficult to come back, then.’
So, it’s clear that Mashrafe is afraid of losing his carrier. This ‘mental fear’ is delaying his return in the field. Because of all these, the selectors feel the importance of Mashrafes’ England tour. Akram Khan said, ‘No doubt that Mashrafe is automatic choice. But, practice matches are important for anybody before playing international cricket. So, we asked the doctor to make him fit for the 22, 24 and 26th august matches.’
As, the doctors declared Mashrafe fit for the premier league cricket which is expected to start from 29th August, Akram Khan feels this is the right time for Mashrafe to play. Long time has passed since the Zimbabwe tour. But, Mashrafe’s taking too much time is a big surprise for the Chief Selector.
In this alarming situation, Mashrafe answered in his own way, ‘As I didn’t make me fit for the Zimbabwe series so, I gone in complete rest. That time there was a lot of pain in my knee. If I would play at that time, I had to take the pain with me. So, I had gone rest for 45 days. Then the pain decreases but, for the rest my fitness fall.
So, now it’s clear that before returning Mashrafe is handling three fights at a time. Firstly, he has to maintain his fitness level. Then, lessen pain while landing feet. Lastly, he has to take care of his knee injury. With all this, the fact is that, come-back in international cricket will be a tough task for Mashrafe.
But, the player himself is not feeling any doubt. But Mashrafe is so conscious now, as he said, ‘I’m still thinking of playing test cricket. My plan is to perform in the next premier league, so that the selectors may consider me for test. All on a sudden, it’s not possible to play test cricket for anybody. True fact is that, I have to prove that I can bowl for 15 or 20 overs.’
It’s all Bangladesh cricket expect from Mashrafe!