Former Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza feels that it is the right time for the Tigers to clinch a global 50-over trophy looking into the current experience and form of the team.
Mashrafe made the announcement a few days after ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan claimed that 2023 will be a special year for Bangladesh cricket.
Bangladesh are expected to take part in Asia Cup and World Cup this year and the 39-year-old feels that they should be able to win one out of these tournaments.
“If you ask why Shakib said such a thing (special year 2023), I believe that in world cricket there isn’t another experienced team like ours and even Australia aren’t as experienced,” Mashrafe told reporters in Mirpur on Thursday.
“It’s time for us to win a tournament, maybe the Asia Cup or could be the World Cup,” he said
“Even youngsters like Shanto have four to five years of experience. In other teams, there are six to seven players who have been playing with only two years of experience. So with that experience in mind, Shakib can say such a thing and I totally agree with him.
“This year can be very big for us if everyone remains healthy, in good form and has a clear mind,” he added.
Mashrafe said that he is very happy to see Mushfiqur Rahim taking up the challenge of playing at number six in ODIs while he feels all is not over for Mahmudullah.
Mushfiqur was demoted down the order in the recent past while Bangladesh have not included Mahmudullah for a while which makes his chance of returning to the ODI set-up highly unlikely.
“As far as Mushy’s batting is concerned, it is good that he is enjoying himself and that is good for the team. Most importantly he has accepted himself (at number six) and the challenge that coach has given him,” said Mashrafe.
“Riyad (Mahmudullah) has started scoring runs and if he returns to form then options are good. If they had said that Riyad is out of the equation then I could have given an opinion.
“Riyad always will be in the equation for the World Cup and maybe he requires opportunities for him to play in patches and maybe he should get that opportunity,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mashrafe added that the wickets in the ongoing Dhaka Premier League, the country’s traditional list A tournament, will certainly help the players as it is beneficial for both batsmen and bowlers.
“The wickets are good in DPL and the board should be thanked for it. If the wicket is good, both the bowlers and batsmen can learn a lot of things,” he said.
