Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza named 'Shera Bangali' award winner

Bangladesh cricket has seen a massive turnaround in the recent past. The Tigers have offered some exceptional performances to their ever supporting fans. The Men in Green have made it to the quarter-finals of World Cup 2015 and to the semis of Champions Trophy 2017. The architect of such a major uplift is their skipper Mashrafe Mortaza. The man has played for the team even with severe pain on his leg and has excellently captained the side.

For his outstanding contributions towards the Bangladesh cricket, Mashrafe will now receive the ‘Shera Bangali’ award. The famous Kolkata based Bengali newspaper Anandabazar Patrika organises the ‘Shera Bangali’ award every year. It is an attempt to honour the talented Bengalis who have made a name for themselves in various fields. From scientists to authors, the recipients of the award are chosen over a very wide spectrum.

The 2017 ‘Shera Bangali’ award will be held on Saturday at Kolkata. The man from Narail, Jessore is expected to start his journey on Friday afternoon. Mashrafe will be accompanied by his parents. After receiving the award, the speedster will stay in India for a couple of days. Mashrafe, on Thursday afternoon at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, said that these kinds of awards are bound to boost the morale of a cricketer. He said that he is looking forward to continuing the good work after receiving such a prestigious award.

Mashrafe is the 3rd Bangladeshi cricketer to be crowned as ‘Shera Bangali’

The 33-year-old is not the first cricketer from Bangladesh to receive the ‘Shera Bangali’ award. He will be the third cricketer from his nation to be crowned as ‘Shera Bangali’ which means Best Bengali. In 2007, Habibur Bashar received the honour and in 2012, all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was crowned as the Shera Bangali.