Mashrafe Mortaza Profile - Cricket Player Bangladesh

Mashrafe Mortaza - Player Profile

Full Name: Mashrafe Bin Mortaza
Date of Birth: October 5, 1983
Place of Birth: Narail, Bangladesh
Role: Bowler, Former Captain
Batting Style: Right-handed
Bowling Style: Right-arm fast-medium

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International Career:

• ODI Debut: November 23, 2001, against Zimbabwe
• Test Debut: November 8, 2001, against Zimbabwe
• T20I Debut: November 28, 2006, against Zimbabwe

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Career Overview:

Mashrafe Mortaza, often referred to as the "Narail Express" for his fast-bowling prowess, is one of Bangladesh's most iconic cricketers. A fast-medium bowler, Mortaza became the symbol of resilience and leadership during his time as captain and player. Despite facing numerous injury setbacks throughout his career, Mortaza's determination and passion for the game made him one of the most beloved figures in Bangladesh cricket.

Key Points:

1. Leadership: Mortaza is widely credited for transforming Bangladesh's cricket fortunes during his captaincy, particularly in ODIs and T20Is. Under his leadership, Bangladesh enjoyed significant success, including reaching the quarterfinals of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup and making it to the final of the 2018 Asia Cup.

2. Bowling Prowess: As a right-arm fast-medium bowler, Mortaza was known for his ability to swing the ball both ways and maintain a disciplined line and length. He was also effective with the new ball, often providing key breakthroughs early in the innings.

3. Batting: Mortaza was also a handy lower-order batsman, capable of playing aggressive cameos when needed. While not known for consistency with the bat, his attacking stroke play helped Bangladesh in various tight situations.

4. Injuries: Throughout his career, Mortaza struggled with multiple knee injuries, which affected his pace and sidelined him for long periods. However, his ability to make comebacks after surgeries and rehabilitation made him a symbol of perseverance.

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Career Stats (as of retirement):

• ODIs:

  • Matches: 220
  • Wickets: 270
  • Best Bowling: 6/26
  • Runs: 1,781
  • Batting Average: 13.12

• Tests:

  • Matches: 36
  • Wickets: 78
  • Best Bowling: 6/81
  • Runs: 797
  • Batting Average: 19.04

• T20Is:

  • Matches: 54
  • Wickets: 42
  • Best Bowling: 4/19
  • Runs: 377
  • Batting Average: 13.96

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Captaincy Record:

Mashrafe captained Bangladesh in ODIs and T20Is, becoming one of the most successful captains in Bangladesh's cricket history. His leadership was key in changing the team's mentality, instilling confidence and a fighting spirit. Bangladesh's notable series wins under his leadership include victories against India, Pakistan, and South Africa.

Leadership Achievements:

• 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup: Under Mortaza’s captaincy, Bangladesh reached the quarterfinals for the first time in their history.
• 2016 Asia Cup: Bangladesh finished as runners-up in the tournament, defeating several top-tier teams.
• ODI Series Wins: Mashrafe led Bangladesh to famous ODI series victories against teams like India, Pakistan, South Africa, and West Indies during his tenure as captain.

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Domestic and Franchise Career:

• Khulna Division, Dhaka Gladiators (Bangladesh Premier League - BPL), Rangpur Riders (BPL), Comilla Victorians (BPL)

Mashrafe has also played a vital role in Bangladesh's domestic T20 league, the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), where he captained teams like Rangpur Riders and Comilla Victorians to titles, further showcasing his leadership skills.

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Post-Retirement:

Mashrafe has retired from international cricket but continues to be involved in domestic competitions, including the BPL. Outside cricket, Mortaza is also active in social and political spheres. He was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Narail-2 constituency in the 2018 Bangladeshi general elections.

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Legacy:

Mashrafe Mortaza's contributions to Bangladesh cricket go far beyond the numbers. He is remembered for his fighting spirit, exemplary leadership, and the transformation he brought to Bangladesh cricket. Affectionately known as "Captain Fantastic," Mortaza's influence on his teammates and the next generation of cricketers has been immense.

Strengths:

• Leadership: Inspiring and dynamic captain who guided Bangladesh through some of their best cricketing years.
• Bowling: Early wickets with the new ball and intelligent bowling in the middle overs.
• Resilience: Remarkable ability to bounce back from injuries and lead from the front.

Weaknesses:

• Injury-Prone: Frequent injuries limited his pace and availability throughout his career.

Mashrafe Mortaza remains a national hero, a symbol of determination, and one of the finest cricketers Bangladesh has ever produced