Introduction
Mashrafe Mortaza, often called the “Narail Express,” is a celebrated figure in Bangladeshi cricket. From humble beginnings, Mashrafe Mortaza’s journey to cricket stardom is truly inspiring. Moreover, his determination and passion have earned him a place in cricket history. As a young player, he faced many challenges but never gave up. Eventually, his hard work paid off, leading to numerous achievements. Today, he is admired not only for his skills but also for his leadership and resilience.
Who is Musafir Murtaza?
Popularly known as the ‘Narail Express’, Mortaza’s career has been beset by injuries. The first real quick bowler to come out of Bangladesh, he was earmarked for great things since the time he made his test debut against Zimbabwe in 2001-02.
Mashrafe Mortaza Biography
| Full Name | Mashrafe Bin Mortaza |
| Nickname | Narail Express |
| Date of Birth | Oct 5, 1983 |
| Place Of Birth | Narail Bangladesh |
| Born | 17 November 1986 |
| Mashrafe Mortaza height | 6 ft 1 in (183 cm) |
| Mashrafe Mortaza Age | 40 years |
| Weight | 74 Kg |
| Mashrafe Mortaza wife | Sumona Haque Sumi |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Mashrafe Mortaza Jersey No. | 2 (Bangladesh), 2 (IPL) |
| Batting Style | Right-handed bat |
| Bowling Style | Right-Arm Fast Medium |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Hobbies | Swimming & Motorcycling |
Is Mashrafe Mortaza married?
Yes, Mashrafe Mortaza is married to Sumona Haque Sumi, and they have a daughter named Humaira and a son named Sahil.
Mashrafe Mortaza Career
Since Bangladesh’s debut in Test cricket in 2000, Mashrafe Mortaza, a cricketer, has been regarded as one of the country’s top bowlers. He is also credited with contributing to his nation’s consistent success in international cricket. The young man was named the “Prince of Hearts” of his birthplace of Narail, where he was born on October 5, 1983. His style won him fame there from a young age.
Domestic career
- Indian Premier League
At the 2009 Indian Premier League auction, he was purchased by Kolkata Knight Riders for an estimated US$ 600,000. He only participated in one game, scoring two runs and conceding 58 runs in four overs.
- Dhaka Premier League
Due to his international commitments, Mashrafe has rarely played for Khulna Division in Bangladesh’s domestic cricket competitions. Between 2001 and 2005, he represented Bangladesh in 36 Tests and 100 ODIs. However, during this time, he played only 11 first-class and 9 List-A matches for Khulna Division. In March 2018, playing for Abahani Limited, Mashrafe took four wickets in four balls against Agrani Bank Cricket Club. This was his first List A hat-trick, making him the first Bangladeshi to achieve it in List A cricket. He ended the 2017–18 Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League as the top wicket-taker, with 39 dismissals in 16 matches.
- Bangladesh Premier League
In 2012, Mashrafe joined the Dhaka Gladiators in the newly formed Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 competition. In 2015, he moved to the Comilla Victorians and captained them to the tournament title. Additionally, he led the Comilla Victorians to win the third BPL and became champions again in 2017. In October 2018, Mashrafe joined Rangpur Riders and became the top wicket-taker with 22 dismissals in 14 matches. By November 2019, he was selected to play for the Dhaka Platoon in the 2019–20 BPL. In the 2023 BPL, he captained the Sylhet Strikers and helped them reach the final for the first time.
- Bangabandu T20 Cup
Mashrafe was chosen to participate in the Bangabandu T20 Cup 2020 for Gemcon Khulna. Taking his first five wickets in T20 cricket, he triumphed in the tournament’s eliminator.
International career
- Early Career and Test Debut
Mashrafe is one of Bangladesh’s most successful pace bowlers. As an under-19 player, Mashrafe’s pace and aggression impressed Andy Roberts, the former West Indian fast bowler. On Roberts’ recommendation, Mashrafe was drafted into the Bangladesh A team. After just one match for Bangladesh A, Mashrafe debuted in Test cricket against Zimbabwe on 8 November 2001. Opening the bowling, he took 4 wickets for 106 runs. His first Test wicket was Grant Flower, and the match ended in a rain-affected draw. Remarkably, this was also Mashrafe’s maiden first-class match.
- One Day International Debut and National Team Leadership
Mashrafe made his ODI debut for Bangladesh on 23 November 2001, alongside debutants Fahim Muntasir and Tushar Imran. Opening the bowling with Mohammad Sharif, he finished with figures of 2/26 from 8.2 overs, though Zimbabwe won the match. Breaking into the national side in late 2001, he captained Bangladesh in one Test and seven ODIs between 2009 and 2010. Injuries sidelined him, allowing Shakib Al Hasan to take over as captain in his absence. Known as one of Bangladesh’s fastest bowlers, Mashrafe regularly bowled in the mid-145s-148s km/h range in the 2000s.
- Injury Setbacks and Recovery
After playing Test series against Zimbabwe and New Zealand, Mashrafe missed the series against Pakistan due to a back injury. While recovering, he suffered a knee injury during skipping, requiring surgery. Consequently, he couldn’t play cricket for eight months. At this point, he had played four Tests, taking 12 wickets.
- Return to International Cricket and Further Challenges
Mashrafe returned to international cricket during the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. However, Bangladesh couldn’t progress past the round-robin stage. During the tournament, he played two matches, taking two wickets. In October and November 2003, England toured Bangladesh for two Tests and three ODIs. Despite performing well, Mashrafe suffered injuries again, collapsing with a twisted knee after delivering a ball in the second Test. Despite his efforts, Bangladesh lost the series 2-0.
- Return to International Cricket and Success Against India
After recovering from his career-threatening injury, Mashrafe made a strong comeback in domestic cricket. Chosen for the India series, Mashrafe marked his comeback by getting Rahul Dravid out in the first Test. Despite consistent bowling performances, catches were dropped, and Bangladesh lost the series 2-0. However, in the subsequent ODI series, Mashrafe played a crucial role in Bangladesh’s victory over India in the second ODI. He was awarded the man of the match for his all-round performance.
- Triumphs Against Zimbabwe and England Tour
In January 2005, Zimbabwe toured Bangladesh, leading to Bangladesh’s first Test series victory and Test win. Despite a sore back, Mashrafe contributed significantly to the team’s success. He continued his impressive form in the ODI series, where Bangladesh won after being 2-0 down. In March 2005, Mashrafe scored his first-class century while playing for Khulna Division against Sylhet Division, earning man of the match. Despite Bangladesh’s loss, Mashrafe excelled as the team’s top bowler during their first tour of England. Later, he played a crucial role in Bangladesh’s historic win against Australia in a tri-series ODI.
2007 World Cup and vice-captaincy
- Successes in Limited Overs Cricket
In February 2007, Bangladesh toured Zimbabwe for a one-day series ahead of the 2007 World Cup. Winning the series 3–1, Mashrafe emerged as Bangladesh’s top wicket-taker. He shined in a warm-up match against New Zealand, contributing with both bat and ball. He played a vital part in Bangladesh’s World Cup win against India, achieving the best figures for a Bangladeshi bowler.
- Challenges in Test and ODI Cricket
Following the World Cup, India toured Bangladesh for Tests and ODIs. Though Bangladesh lost, Mashrafe stood out as the team’s leading run-scorer and wicket-taker in Tests. As vice-captain, Mashrafe faced criticism for his performance in Sri Lanka but played in the Afro-Asia Cup and World Twenty20. However, Bangladesh struggled in Test and ODI series against New Zealand and South Africa.
National team and early captaincy
In early 2009, Mashrafe emerged as a potential captaincy candidate alongside Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan. Despite criticism of Mohammad Ashraful‘s leadership, he remained captain. However, in June 2009, the BCB relieved Ashraful of captaincy, appointing Mashrafe for tours of the West Indies and Zimbabwe.
Triumphs and Setbacks as Captain
In July 2009, Bangladesh toured the West Indies, where Mashrafe’s captaincy began with a historic Test victory. Unfortunately, a knee injury sidelined him, leading Shakib Al Hasan to lead Bangladesh to further victories. Mashrafe’s injury woes persisted, ruling him out of the Zimbabwe tour and subsequent surgery in Australia. Despite being reinstated as captain, Mashrafe’s injury kept him sidelined until February 2010.
2015-2016: Quarterfinals and consecutive series win
Under Mashrafe’s captaincy, Bangladesh reached the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time by defeating Scotland, Afghanistan, and England. Losing to India in the quarterfinals marked Bangladesh’s greatest world tournament achievement until their 2017 Champions Trophy semifinal. Mashrafe’s aggressive leadership, along with Chandika Hathurusingha’s tactics, received high praise. Following the World Cup, Bangladesh adopted an attacking style of cricket, achieving significant success. They won a home series against India, whitewashed Pakistan 3-0, and reached the finals of the 2016 Asia Cup.
2017: Champions Trophy
After leading Bangladesh to victories over New Zealand and Australia, Mashrafe captained them to the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy semi-finals. But in the last Group A game, they were defeated by their hosts, England.
Mashrafe Mortaza Stats
Batting Career Summary
| M | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 200 | 50 | 4s | 6s | |
| Test | 36 | 67 | 5 | 797 | 79 | 12.85 | 1186 | 67.2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 95 | 22 |
| ODI | 220 | 158 | 28 | 1787 | 51 | 13.75 | 2041 | 87.56 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 149 | 62 |
| T20I | 54 | 39 | 11 | 377 | 36 | 13.46 | 278 | 135.61 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 23 |
| IPL | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0.0 | 2 | 100.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
(www.cricbuzz.com)
Bowling Career Summary
| M | Inn | B | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Econ | Avg | SR | 5W | 10W | |
| Test | 36 | 51 | 5990 | 3239 | 78 | 4/60 | 5/88 | 3.24 | 41.53 | 76.79 | 0 | 0 |
| ODI | 220 | 220 | 10928 | 8897 | 270 | 6/26 | 6/26 | 4.88 | 32.95 | 40.47 | 1 | 0 |
| T20I | 54 | 53 | 1139 | 1528 | 42 | 4/19 | 4/19 | 8.05 | 36.38 | 27.12 | 0 | 0 |
| IPL | 1 | 1 | 24 | 58 | 0 | 0/58 | 0/58 | 14.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Mashrafe Mortaza Political career
The former captain of Bangladesh’s cricket team, Mashrafe Mortaza, joined politics in 2018. In 2018, Mashrafe collected the Awami League nomination form and won a parliamentary seat with 96% of the vote. He won the seat in December 2018 with an overwhelming 2,71,210 vote margin. He joined the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Youth and Sports Ministry in February 2019. He has served as Bangladesh Awami League’s youth and sports secretary since December 2022.
Mashrafe Mortaza retirement
Despite not officially retiring from Test cricket, Mashrafe hasn’t played since injuring his leg in 2009. In 2017, he retired from Twenty20 internationals after the Sri Lanka tour. In March 2020, he announced his retirement as Bangladesh’s ODI captain before the Zimbabwe series. Though he hasn’t officially retired from ODIs, he’s not playing regularly and wasn’t included in recent squads. Mashrafe stated that the Bangladesh Cricket Board pressured him to retire.
Will Mashrafe play in BPL 2024?
Mashrafe Mortaza takes break from Bangladesh Premier League 2024 for ‘political’ reasons.
What is the fastest delivery by Mashrafe Mortaza?
147 km/h
He became only the fifth bowler in history to take 100 ODI wickets as a captain. Mashrafe is also the first pace bowler in Bangladesh who bowled a delivery clocking over 147 km/h, which he did during a Test against New Zealand at Hamilton in 2001.
Mashrafe Mortaza Salary
The annual pay of Mashrafe Mortaza, a cricket player for the Rangpur Riders in Bangladesh, is Rs 21,008,180.00.
- Annual: Rs21,008,180.00
- Monthly: Rs1,750,681.67
- Weekly: Rs404,003.46
- Daily: Rs80,800.69
Conclusion
In conclusion, Mashrafe Mortaza’s journey from a small town in Bangladesh to international cricket stardom is inspiring. Despite facing numerous injuries, Mashrafe’s leadership and determination have left an indelible mark on Bangladesh cricket. Through his illustrious career, he has achieved remarkable feats, including leading Bangladesh to their first World Cup quarterfinal. In retirement, his legacy continues to inspire generations of aspiring cricketers and politicians alike.
Meta Description
Discover the captivating journey of Mashrafe Mortaza, from his rise in cricket to his impactful career and personal life.
FAQs
1. Who is Mashrafe Mortaza and what makes him special?
Mashrafe Mortaza is a renowned Bangladeshi cricketer and politician known for his exceptional skills as a fast-medium bowler. He stands out for being the first genuine fast bowler to emerge from Bangladesh since their entry into Test cricket in 2000. Mortaza’s journey is marked by his early success, injuries, and remarkable comebacks, making him a beloved figure in Bangladesh’s cricket history.
2. What are some key highlights of Mashrafe Mortaza’s cricket career?
Answer: Mashrafe Mortaza has had a remarkable cricket career filled with highs and lows. Some of his standout moments include leading Bangladesh to their first-ever victory over India in 2004, being the world’s highest wicket-taker in ODIs in 2006, and playing a pivotal role in Bangladesh’s historic win over Sri Lanka in 2009. Despite battling numerous injuries, Mortaza’s contributions to Bangladesh cricket have been significant.
3. How has Mashrafe Mortaza’s personal life influenced his cricketing journey?
Answer: Mashrafe Mortaza’s personal life, including his upbringing in Narail District, his education at Jahangirnagar University, and his marriage to Sumona Haque Sumi, has played a crucial role in shaping his cricketing career. His resilience in the face of injuries, his leadership as the captain of the Bangladesh cricket team, and his dedication to the sport and his country reflect the values instilled in him through his personal experiences.
