ODI Series Against Zimbabwe Is Last As Captain For Mashrafe Mortaza

The experienced Mashrafe Mortaza has become a headache for the Bangladesh Cricket Board (ECB), as they are waiting for the clarification from the skipper regarding his future. In the latest development, the board president Nazmul Hasan, has confirmed that they are looking to change the skipper of the team following an ODI series against Zimbabwe.

The BCB supremo Hassan has said the upcoming three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe will be Mortaza’s last assignment as the Tigers skipper. He said that a new captain will be named “within a month” as Bangladesh plan the road ahead for the 2023 World Cup.

We don’t have much time – Nazmul Hasan 

Hasan added that Mortaza’s captaincy was significant to the cricket team but it is also time for him to think about his future. He also said that the board will be “lenient” on the 36-year-old Mortaza’s fitness levels in the lead-up to the ODI series against Zimbabwe.

“We have started to stress on beep tests so Mashrafe may not pass the beep tests, so we can drop him if he doesn’t pass it,” he said.

“We also have to keep it in mind that Mashrafe’s leadership was vital in the turnaround in Bangladesh cricket. But, the time has come for him to decide how long he wants to play,” he added. 

”I think Mashrafe will play the ODI series against Zimbabwe, pending fitness. We will be lenient about his fitness. But very soon, we have to decide on the team and captain for the next World Cup. We don’t have much time. We will make our decision after this ODI series.”

Retirement depends on individual players:

The 36-year-old has been the rock of Bangladesh’s bowling department for close to two decades. But his struggle with the knee led to frequent entries and exits. He often bowled in pain.

The right-arm medium pacer Mortaza, who has 266 ODI wickets to his name, last played in the 2019 World Cup game against Pakistan on July 5. He missed the Sri Lanka series due to injury.

“Retirement depends on individual players,” Hasan said. “We know that top players retire on their own will. We also wanted to give him a good send-off. He can play if he wants to, but I am more concerned about the captaincy. Once we declare on the captaincy, he can enter the team on his performance.

Well, it would be interesting to see how Mortaza would react to the latest statement from the board president. Perhaps, Mashrafe might check himself against Zimbabwe before making a final call.

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