Mashrafe Mortaza Does Not Get Into Playing Eleven, Says Ajit Agarkar

Former India fast-bowler Ajit Agarkar has criticised Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza in the wake of the Tigers’ heavy loss at the hands of England. Bangladesh, on Saturday, suffered their second back-to-back defeat in the World Cup. England thrashed the Tigers by 106 runs to get back to winning ways. Bangladesh’s bowlers fared poorly as England piled up a mammoth total of 386 for 6.

Mortaza had yet another off day with the ball. The veteran bowler gave his team the much-needed first breakthrough after Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow shared century-plus stands. But barring that wicket, Mortaza did not have much to show. In three games so far, he has just a solitary wicket to show. The right-arm pacer’s speed is also a matter of concern. And Ajit Agarkar feels Mortaza does not deserve a place in the playing eleven.

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Agarkar opined that Bangladesh should drop Mortaza to make room for Rubel Hossain. The ex-cricketer further said that Bangladesh could also mull the prospect of dropping spinner Mosaddek Hossain. “Rubel should be included in the eleven, I know for them exclusion of Mashrafe from the eleven is tough but if you consider his form in this World Cup, I don’t think he gets into the eleven,” Ajit Agarkar told ESPNCricinfo.

“If they want they can keep Mosaddek out of the eleven, they have enough spin bowling option. Mehedi and Shakib are bowling well, they are batting pretty well too. At this moment bowling is their main concern,’’ he added.

Mortaza, nonetheless, needs to find his form sooner rather than later if he is eyeing to inspire his country to another good World Cup. Before dismissing Jonny Bairstow in his previous outing, he had not picked up a wicket in his last five ODIs. With Bangladesh now falling behind from the top tens in the World Cup, Mortaza needs to rediscover his mojo.

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