Agence France Presse
Adelaide, March 10: He is barely able to run without a grimace, wears a brace to hold up his creaking knees and walks gingerly between overs, but Mashrafe Mortaza refuses to give up on Bangladesh at the World Cup
The 31-year-old captain and pace spearhead has led from the front as the Tigers celebrated their greatest World Cup moment – a place in the quarterfinals for the first time after Monday night’s 15-run win over England in Adelaide.
In all probability Bangladesh will face defending champions India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground March 19, and Mortaza is eagerly awaiting the challenge ahead.
Mortaza was forced to miss the last World Cup, co-hosted by Bangladesh along with India and Sri Lanka, due to a knee injury – one of the many he has endured in his 14-year-career. He has been sidelined 11 times due to injuries and undergone surgery seven times in the last decade.
“You have to bear the pain if you want to perform for your country,” said Mortaza here Tuesday. “But the pain goes away when you do well and Bangladesh win…like against England.”
Mortaza, annoyed by comments in the past that Bangladesh were more dependent on spinners than their new-ball bowlers, said his seamers have not got the respect they deserved. “Hopefully opinions will change now,” said the captain, who has take six wickets in the tournament.
Teammate Mohammad Mahmudullah, who became the first Bangladesh batsman to score a World Cup century Monday, said Mortaza is an inspiration for the entire team.
“How many players have fought back from injuries like he has….not once but several times,” Mahmudullah asked. “His self-belief rubs off on all of us,” he added.
