Resilience Personified: The Unyielding Journey of Mashrafe Mortaza

He blazed onto the Bangladesh cricket scene like a comet, a young, untamed force destined to change the landscape of Bangladeshi fast bowling. It was 2001, and an under-17 rookie caught the discerning eye of Andy Roberts, then temporarily coaching the Bangladesh bowlers. Roberts, himself a legendary pacer, immediately recognized the raw hunger and relentless energy that the young bowler from Narail brought to the field, remarking that the boy had a promising future. And so, based on Roberts’s endorsement, this budding talent was swiftly drafted into the Bangladesh A team, and after a single match, awarded a Test cap against a visiting Zimbabwe side—before he’d even played first-class cricket.

That boy was Mashrafe Mortaza. As he took the new ball in his debut Test, there were murmurs in our medical college's common room. Bangladeshi fans still remembered the tall, lean figure of Hasibul Hossain, and many were wary of his successor. But as Mortaza bounded in with his fierce pace, the collective doubts began to dissolve. A newfound hope took shape, and astonishment lit the room. "Wow!" was the immediate response of my friends. "Is he really from Bangladesh?" we asked in disbelief, for a speedster had indeed arrived.

But in Bangladeshi cricket, hope often courts heartbreak. Over the following years, we could only glimpse flashes of Mortaza's brilliance; the sustained thrill we anticipated was eclipsed by relentless injuries. His powerful yet unsteady bowling action took a toll on his body, especially his back and lower extremities. Injuries sidelined him time and again, disrupting his career at every promising turn. Moreover, his captains, perhaps overly eager to wield their premier weapon, often deployed Mortaza in long, punishing spells, never fully accounting for the toll on his body. The result was a career punctuated with injury and interrupted potential, a saga that deprived Bangladesh of what could have been a legendary run.

Yet, what sets Mortaza apart is his indomitable spirit. Injuries may have repeatedly threatened to end his journey, but every time, Mortaza returned, as resilient as ever. To Bangladeshi fans, Mortaza became more than a cricketer; he was a symbol of courage and endurance. His tenacity and refusal to be sidelined turned him into a national hero, even eclipsing the allure of Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal during his prime.

This deep connection with his fans propelled him onward. Mortaza seemed to sense the heartbeat of his supporters, which drove him to defy the odds and claw his way back to the game he loved. After overcoming his latest injury, which had sidelined him for an extended period, he made a stunning return to the Dhaka Premier League. Fans were thrilled to see him close to his best, delivering searing bouncers, extracting movement off the seam, and bowling with sharp pace. His four-wicket haul against Abahani Limited, where he represented Mohammedan Sporting Club, was a moment of rekindled faith, a reminder that the Narail Express still had some fuel left in the tank.

If fate favours him once again, and if he secures a place back in the national squad, it will bring not only strength to Bangladesh's bowling attack but also a resurgence of hope for fans across the country, especially with the impending series against New Zealand. Yet, as always with Mortaza, the question remains: can his body bear the relentless grind of international cricket one more time? 

Only time will reveal if this comeback will be his final chapter or yet another defiant stand against the toll of injuries. For now, we are left to marvel at Mashrafe Mortaza’s journey—a testament to the unyielding will and the enduring spirit of a bowler who never truly left his game, no matter how many times he was forced to the sidelines.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Lessons in Resilience: Zimbabwe’s Triumph and Pakistan’s Test Cricket Struggles

The final day of the second Test between Pakistan and Zimbabwe was anticipated to be a riveting showdown, a climax worthy of the resilience and intensity Test cricket demands. Pakistan found themselves in a position reminiscent of the iconic Multan Test against Bangladesh a decade earlier, where Inzamam-ul-Haq, against all odds, had become a one-man fortress, leading his team to an unforgettable victory. This time, fans looked to Misbah-ul-Haq to replicate that feat, but fate, it seemed, had other plans. Misbah could not channel the magic of Inzamam, and what unfolded was a historic triumph for Zimbabwe—a moment of collective jubilation as they celebrated a hard-fought victory, leaving Pakistan stunned.

Harare became the stage for a triumph of team spirit over disarray. Zimbabwe’s path to this moment had been steeped in turmoil; the players faced disputes with their Board over overdue payments and even threatened to boycott the series altogether. Yet, in the face of these challenges, the Zimbabwean team rallied. It was a demonstration of resilience, one that saw them face off with renewed energy and self-belief, beginning from the very first Test. Although Zimbabwe lost that initial battle of patience and resilience, they emerged for the second Test a transformed unit, full of steely resolve. Pakistan, by contrast, seemed unprepared for this resolute opposition, and their frail performance allowed Zimbabwe to seize an extraordinary victory.

At the heart of Pakistan’s struggles was a persistent inability to chase down totals—a problem as old as their storied journey in cricket itself. Since the late 1990s, Pakistani batsmen have been haunted by the specter of collapsing under the pressure of a chase. Despite hiring accomplished batting coaches and holding rigorous camps with esteemed consultants, the Pakistani side has struggled to instil the mindset crucial for Test cricket. Test cricket is not just a game; it is a philosophy. It demands precision, persistence, and poise—a methodology that holds no space for rash, whimsical strokes. To succeed, batsmen must cultivate a rhythm of patience, occupying the crease and rotating the strike rather than resorting to high-risk shots. Yet, in Zimbabwe, Pakistan’s batsmen succumbed to their own flashiness, launching into promising starts only to fall in unsightly ways. This repeated approach proved costly, underscoring a worrying inability to adapt to the mental demands of the longest format of the game.

However, Zimbabwe’s success was not merely a consequence of Pakistan’s failures. Their achievement deserves to be celebrated as a testament to the power of unity, focus, and discipline under trying circumstances. In modern cricket, winning a Test match is a rare feat that goes beyond luck; it is an ordeal of mental and physical endurance. Zimbabwe’s triumph here is an example of grit and determination to conquer more formidable resources and reputations. Lacking a formidable bowling attack or explosive batting lineup, Zimbabwe relied on a disciplined, methodical approach. Their steadfast resolve underscored the fact that cricket, at its core, rewards focus and perseverance above all else.

This win propelled Zimbabwe to ninth place in the ICC Test Championship rankings, overtaking Bangladesh, and raised important questions for Bangladesh’s cricket community. While this result may not have delighted Bangladeshi fans, it offers a sobering benchmark. Zimbabwe’s rise, with fewer resources and more turbulence, is a reminder that in Test cricket, commitment and determination are as critical as talent and infrastructure. Over the past thirteen years, Bangladesh has won only four Test matches—a meagre total considering their facilities, better compensation, and a more stable Cricket Board compared to Zimbabwe. In contrast, since their re-entry to Test cricket in 2011, Zimbabwe has achieved three Test wins in two years, including this victory against Pakistan—a significant Test-playing nation.

Bangladesh’s journey in Test cricket has been marked by untapped potential. It is time to recognize Zimbabwe’s recent achievements not with envy but with a desire to emulate their progress. Bangladesh must confront the realities of Test cricket, reflecting on Zimbabwe’s success as a wake-up call. If a team facing such adversity can showcase growth and resilience, then surely, with the right attitude and strategic intent, Bangladesh too can turn its story around. For now, Zimbabwe’s triumph serves as a clear answer to the question, “Who is improving more?”

 

Thank You
Faisal Caesar

Reviving the Spirit of Bangladeshi Cricket: The Case for Dhaka Premier League Coverage

 

After a protracted period of speculation and a buildup fraught with setbacks, the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) finally launched on September 10, offering a rare surge of excitement for Bangladeshi cricket fans amidst off-field controversies and administrative turmoil. With Bangladesh cricket veering dangerously off course due to behind-the-scenes politics, the DPL has emerged as a bright spot. Here, between the bat and the ball, lies a contest that matters deeply to every cricket enthusiast and cricketer in Bangladesh—a contest with the power to momentarily eclipse the chaos and breathe life back into the game.

The league roared to life on its opening day at the Shahid Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi. As Prime Bank Cricket Club posted a commanding total of 334 runs, driven by Ziaur Rahman’s explosive 89, Mahmudul Hasan’s smooth 54, and PBB Rajapaksa’s rapid-fire 107, the battle lines were clearly drawn. Chasing this formidable target, Brothers Union found themselves struggling, unable to break free from the mounting pressure. Yet, the match was ignited by an extraordinary innings from Nafees Iqbal, who played a lone hand, scoring a remarkable 150 off 140 balls with 21 boundaries and a six. His innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression—a last beacon of hope for Brothers Union even as the team faltered around him.

However, despite the brilliance on display, only a handful of spectators at the stadium were there to witness it, for the DPL has been deprived of television coverage. This lack of broadcast and publicity is a sobering reminder of the limited attention domestic cricket receives in Bangladesh. At a time when the cricketing community is yearning for quality cricket, DPL remains an invisible spectacle, its moments lost to all but a few, denied the reach and resonance it deserves.

In a nation overflowing with television networks, it’s baffling that DPL coverage has not found a place on any channel. Broadcasting the DPL would be a balm to Bangladesh’s cricket-hungry populace, who are left with little to watch during the international off-season. The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) garners immense enthusiasm and investment; however, DPL and other domestic formats are given minimal exposure. The Dhaka Premier League and the National Cricket League are foundational pillars for Bangladeshi cricket—they cultivate our next generation of stars, shaping their skills and temperament for the international stage. It is here, in these leagues, that future legends are born, and the nation’s cricketers earn their stripes. But without coverage, these leagues remain largely invisible, even as they bear the weight of our cricketing future.

The disparity becomes even starker when one glances across the border. In India, the Ranji Trophy garners widespread attention, with cricket experts, fans, and journalists closely following its every development. Television networks deliver live action to households, while the print media keeps fans engaged with extensive articles and statistical insights. Other major cricketing nations like Australia, England, South Africa, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka also show deep respect for their domestic competitions, bringing them into the spotlight with thorough media coverage.

Sadly, Bangladesh has yet to recognize the heartbeat of its cricketing landscape. Our media and sponsors need to feel the pulse of the nation. While it is true that television channels require a balanced diet of entertainment and news, they cannot overlook cricket—the sport that unites our country. This oversight denies millions of Bangladeshis access to moments of cricketing greatness and the stories that unfold on their soil. A dedicated sports channel or even a more inclusive approach from existing networks could capture the thrill of DPL and NCL, fostering national pride in the cricketers who are striving, often out of view, to make Bangladesh a force in the global cricketing arena.

The time has come for our media and sponsors to recognize that domestic cricket isn’t just a step to the international stage but a vital narrative of its own—one that deserves to be shared, celebrated, and cherished across Bangladesh.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar