Mashrafe ready to visit Pakistan if selected

Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza said he will be available to tour Pakistan for the one-off one-day match against the host in April if selected, the Bangladeshi media has reported.

Mashrafe’s run as captain to the ODI fold is likely to end following the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe starting at Sylhet International Stadium Sunday, and following which the cricketer will have to prove his fitness and performance to get a spot in the squad.

Mashrafe declared his availability for the last leg of the three-phase Bangladesh tour of Pakistan came a day after his colleague Mushfiqur Rahim stated his decision of not being part of the tour remained unchanged. Mushfiq has recently faced indirect criticism from the Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan for deciding not to tour Pakistan citing security concern.

Bangladesh in their last part of the tour will play an ODI and the second and final Test of the series, all in Karachi.

"I am not sure what is going to happen after this series. I will be available for the team anywhere. I always feel that cricket board is our guardian and they will deeply think before taking a major decision. This is what we expect. We should think decision of the board as final. I believe cricket board will be hurt more than the family if something happens to any of our cricketers. They will think 10 times before taking a decision and ensure 100% security,” said Mashrafe to the media at SICS Saturday.

“But then again decision varies from person to person. I keep respect to Mushfiq’s decision and the option has been given by the board on if you want to be part of this tour or not. I am sure the selectors before making the team will personally ask the cricketers if they want to be part of the tour. I will discuss with them on this if they select me in the team and asks for my opinion.”

Am I a thief?

When a reporter asked Mortaza if his form in the World Cup with the ball has made him feel ashamed, Mortaza was shocked at the query.

"Self respect and to be ashamed of? Do I steal on the ground? Am I a thief? I actually can not relate things like 'self-respect' or 'being ashamed' with playing cricket. There are people who steal and cheat; aren't they ashamed of what they are doing? Only I have to feel ashamed if I do not get wickets in a game? Am I a thief?" said Mashrafe. "I might not get wickets and then all of your personnel and also my fans can criticize and talk about it. But why would I have to be ashamed of it? Am I not playing for Bangladesh? Or am I playing for any other country that I must be ashamed of my performance? If I can not perform then they can drop me -- it is that simple."

Bangladesh in their first two parts of the tour, in January and February, played a three-match T20I series and a Test. The visitor had lost the T20I series 2-0 and the third game got abandoned due to rain while in Test, the side conceded defeat by an innings and 44 runs.