World Cup 2019 | Mashrafe Mortaza declares this to be last World Cup
Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza has declared that the upcoming World Cup in England and Wales would be his last. Mortaza has been one of the greatest players Bangladesh have ever produced and would be playing the quadrennial event for the fifth time in his career that spanned for 19 years.
Mashrafe Mortaza has said that the upcoming World Cup would be his last after making his ODI debut back in 2001 against Zimbabwe. The 25-year-old all-rounder has been instrumental in Bangladesh’s rise in international cricket in recent times and is also one of the most followed cricketers in his country. His experience would certainly help Bangladesh in the tournament, which will also marks his fifth appearance.
“This is definitely my last World Cup. I have to perform as a player, and of course, my role as captain is going to be important too. I have to fulfil my duties, but there's nothing more I can do. I don't have any personal goals. I never want to take any extra pressure,” Mortaza said, reported icc-cricket.com.
Mortaza has played 205 ODIs till date, scalping 259 wickets at 31.71 and scored has scored 1752 runs. The above numbers also include 16 World Cup games, with the most memorable one being against India in 2007 edition. Mortaza has been a strong believer of luck and will take the World like another big tournament.
“I am a believer in luck, so what is meant to happen, will happen. It's also not that I will do any extra preparation. It's just another big tournament for us and we want to play well to make it memorable. Nothing is impossible, but it will be very important for us to handle the ups and downs,” he added.
Bangladesh play their inaugural World Cup encounter against South Africa on June 2.