DHAKA: Heroes are born not made. Heroes come on special events at special time to a nation. Nation gets glorified from their contribution.

One Mashrafee Bin Murtaza is one such hero who did as much or even more to Bangladesh Cricket and Bangladesh than what Sir Donald Bradman did not Australia, Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar did for India, Sir Garfield Sobers and Brian Lara did for West Indies , Imran Khan and Javed Miandad did for Pakistan.It is principally for his exemplary leading from the front leadership Bangladesh cricket is admired and adored all over the world. Mashrafee would appear for the last time today in T20 international cricket for Bangladesh against Sri Lanka . His worldwide friends, fans and followers cannot just imagine that a person named Mashrafee won’t be appearing in one of the two formats he plays for his country in international cricket.

We won’t go into minor details what hastened him taking the hasty decisions or who plotted for his early exit. Those mortals would not even be talked about when they are gone. But Mashrafee would live for ever. His legacy in Bangladesh Cricket are there to stay for ages.

Mashrafee is a role model , he is an inspiration , he is an enigma to Bangladeshi cricketers . He is friend , philosopher and guide to fellow cricketers , mates . Just imagine what Taskin , Mustafiz , Mehedi Miraj must be missing . We have already seen the feelings of Mushfique , Tamim and Mahmudullah . At a time when Bangladesh cricket is climbing up the ladder resting on his broad shoulders it will be badly hurt from his dissociation. His own cherished dreams would remain unfulfilled. Did not he salvage Bangladesh cricket from deep hole to present vibrant reality? Did not he made the entire team a happy family with his soothing pleasing personality? By his playing quality alone he still remains among the top bowler capable of taking wickets against any team in any condition. It is weird thinking discarding him from T20 and ODI cricket so early. He must be  given own time and choice for his retirement.

I pity those who created situation for it. Just check the record how he made Bangladesh Cricket bounce back. Under his dynamic leadership Bangladesh won 6 of the 7 ODI series Bangladesh played at home .It was under him Bangladesh qualified for the first time in the ICC world cup qualifier in Australia. He was instrumental for Bangladesh beating India and South Africa in the world cup. He is the highest wicket taker in ODI for Bangladesh. Even on 4 April after announcing his retirement he was the only bowler who earned respect of Sri Lankan batsmen and took two of the three wickets taken by the Bangladeshis.

Cannot understand what prompted head coach thinking of Bangladesh doing without Mashrafee, Tamim and Mushfique in T20 internationals? Who are there to replace them now? Why should BCB dance to the tune of a paid person who has no commitment for Bangladesh or Bangladesh Cricket?

We noticed him saying,” We cricketers are not heroes, we are entertainers only. The real heroes are the martyred freedom fighters who laid down their lives for earning us freedom , a flag and a national anthem.” But we those who witnessed the great liberation war and made some contributions would not hesitate considering him as a hero.

Many international cricketer hanged up after one or two injuries. But Mashrafee ignored seven major surgeries .In the field he still gives 100% whether he bowls , bats or fields .He is a person of other planet. Has seen tears running down his cheeks when National flags were all around MCG and national anthem was being played in Bangladesh Sri Lanka ICC world cup match.  One Mashrafee will never be born. A great cricketer an exceptional human being.

We as early generation of Bangladesh cricket appeal to our cricket loving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to request Mashrafee reviewing his decision to retire. He is required at least for two more years to develop Bangladesh cricket team as leading contender for the top honor both in T20 and ODI. She should also order investigation into the various irregularities in BCB especially who are principal beneficiaries of exclusive dependence on Srlankan coaching stuff?

BDST: 1030 HRS, APR 06, 2017
EHJ