Days after Bangladesh former captain Mashrafe Mortaza expressed his grief over the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) treatment for forcing him to retire, Tamim Iqbal has come in front to support the veteran.
Tamim was handed over the ODI captaincy after Mortaza stepped down from the post in February during Bangladesh’s last home series against Zimbabwe. The latter was also questioned for his retirement plan, but he kept silent. BCB also openly offered Mortaza a big farewell on his retirement. But he refused the board’s offer.
The former Bangladesh captain’s position was questioned in the team after his disappointing performance in the World Cup 2019, where the pacer picked only one wicket.
Mashrafe Mortaza is legend: Tamim Iqbal
The newly appointed ODI captain Tamim Iqbal backs Mashrafe Mortaza, saying that he is a legend of the game. He would like to have Mortaza in his team, but he acknowledges that there are other factors to be taken into consideration. As he is a new captain, he first wants to earn respect before voicing his opinion.
‘’Let me say one thing as I’m a new captain, so for me, if I say on the first day of the first selection meeting that I want this, I want that, I want him. I have to earn that respect from selectors, from the board. I have to earn that respect, how can I earn that, I can earn that through my performance,’’ Tamim told Cricfrenzy on a live show on Saturday.
‘’Mashrafe Bhai is a legend. I don’t think there is anyone in the Bangladesh team who would not take him. But of course, there is a lot to consider. We will see when the right time will come. But he is a legend and there is no one who will not take him,’’ he concluded.
Mortaza has represented Bangladesh in 220 ODIs, 36 Tests, and 54 ODIs, picking 270, 78 and 42 wickets respectively.