Bangladesh set to retain Mashrafe Mortaza as ODI captain for Zimbabwe series

Bangladesh national cricket team have been handed a major boost in their tactical approach as they have retained the veteran Mashrafe Mortaza as ODI skipper for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe. The first ODI is scheduled to be played at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet, Bangladesh on March 1 (Sunday).

Ahead of the ODI series, both teams will lock horns for a one-off Test match which will be played at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka on February 22 (Saturday). Case in point, Mashrafe Mortaza will skipper the country from the front against Zimbabwe despite a lack of clarity over his future.

Mashrafe Mortaza has not represented the national team in an ODI since the ICC World Cup last year in England. Last month, he removed his name from the top national team contract. Needless to say, the Bangladesh Cricket Board officials are confident that Mashrafe Mortaza would lead the side despite uncertainty over his future.

We have to decide about next captain very soon: BCB President Nazmul Hassan

Bangladesh Cricket Board President Nazmul Hassan said that they don’t have a substitute for an experienced campaigner like Mashrafe Mortaza. “At this moment we don’t have a substitute for a captain like Mashrafe,” Nazmul Hassan told while addressing the reporters at the press conference in Dhaka. “If he is not fit, that is another issue,” he added.

BCB President added that while Mortaza’s captaincy was significant to the cricket team, it was also time for him to think about his future. Nazmul Hassan also said that they would have to decide their next skipper soon. “We have to decide about our next captain very soon,” he added in a statement.

Mortaza has been an important part of Bangladesh’s cricket history. He has been playing cricket for the national team for almost two decades. The Bangladesh Cricket Board wanted to give the veteran a massive farewell last year when Zimbabwe visited the nation, but Mashrafe Mortaza turned down the opportunity politely.

After completing the home assignment against Zimbabwe, the Bangladesh cricket team will be traveling to Pakistan in April for a one-off ODI series.