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
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