Bangladesh are all set to host Zimbabwe in a limited-overs series, comprising three ODIs and two T20Is from March 1 to March 11.
On the eve of the first ODI in Sylhet, Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza addressed the press conference and took a reporter to task for an insulting question directed at his bowling performance.
Mortaza has not played for Bangladesh since having a poor outing at the 2019 World Cup where he claimed just 1 wicket in 8 games.
During the media interaction, a reporter asked Mortaza if his showing in the World Cup with the ball has made him feel ashamed?
Responding to the bizarre query, the Bangladesh ODI captain said: "Self respect and to be ashamed of? Do I steal on the ground? Am I a thief? I actually can not relate things like 'self-respect' or 'being ashamed' with playing cricket. There are people who steal and cheat; aren't they ashamed of what they are doing? Only I have to feel ashamed if I do not get wickets in a game? Am I a thief?"
"I might not get wickets and then all of your personnel and also my fans can criticize and talk about it. But why would I have to be ashamed of it? Am I not playing for Bangladesh? Or am I playing for any other country that I must be ashamed of my performance? If I can not perform then they can drop me -- it is that simple," he added.
Recently, BCB President Nazmul Hasan announced that the Zimbabwe series will be Mortaza's last assignment as captain.
"We have started to stress on beep tests so Mashrafe may not pass the beep tests, so we can drop him if he doesn't pass it. We also have to keep it in mind that Mashrafe's leadership was vital in the turnaround in Bangladesh cricket. But, the time has come for him to decide how long he wants to play. I think Mashrafe will play the ODI series against Zimbabwe, pending fitness. We will be lenient about his fitness. But very soon, we have to decide on the team and captain for the next World Cup. We don't have much time. We will take our decision after this ODI series," Hasan had said earlier this month.
