A Bangladeshi pace bowler and captain, known for his aggressive bowling style and leading the national team to several historic victories.
Mashrafe Mortaza, popularly known as the Narail Express, is a Bangladeshi cricketer and politician who has made an indelible mark on the cricketing world. As the most successful captain in Bangladesh's cricket history, Mortaza has led his team to numerous victories in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
Born on October 5, 1983, in Narail, Bangladesh, Mortaza began his cricketing journey at a young age. He made his Test debut against Zimbabwe in 2001 and quickly impressed Andy Roberts, the then-coach of the Bangladesh team. His impressive performance led to his selection in the Test side in his debut first-class game.
In 2006, Mortaza became the world's highest wicket-taker in ODIs, taking 49 wickets in total. He was the Man of the Match in the match against India in the 2007 Cricket World Cup, where he took four wickets and knocked out India from the group stage. This impressive performance earned him a spot in the Kolkata Knight Riders for IPL 2009, where he was picked up for $600,000.
Mortaza debuted as a captain after the 2009 T20 World Cup, leading Bangladesh to victories against West Indies and Zimbabwe. However, his captaincy was short-lived due to an ankle injury, which forced him to hand over the captaincy duties to Shakib Al Hasan. He suffered a tear in his knee ligament, which kept him out of the game for a while. He missed the 2011 Cricket World Cup due to this injury.
After overcoming his injuries, Mortaza took his position back in the squad after four years and captained Bangladesh to the 2015 Cricket World Cup, where they reached the quarterfinals for the first time. Under his leadership, Bangladesh achieved back-to-back ODI series wins against Pakistan, India, and New Zealand, making them a dominant ODI team in their home grounds. These results sealed a place for Bangladesh in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.
Mortaza's contributions to Bangladesh cricket are unparalleled. He is widely regarded as the most influential sports person in Bangladesh cricket history. His leadership and impressive performances have inspired a generation of cricketers in Bangladesh. His influence extends beyond cricket, as he is also a Member of Parliament for Narail-2 district.
Mortaza's leadership philosophy is centered around teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. He believes in leading by example and instilling confidence in his teammates. His never-give-up attitude has inspired his team to achieve remarkable victories against top-ranked teams.
In addition to his cricketing achievements, Mortaza has also made a mark in politics. He was elected as a Member of Parliament for Narail-2 district in 2018, demonstrating his commitment to serving his country beyond cricket.
Mortaza's influence extends beyond cricket and politics. He is a role model for millions of young Bangladeshis, inspiring them to strive for excellence in their chosen fields. His philanthropic work, particularly in the area of education, has improved the lives of many underprivileged children in Bangladesh.
42 Years Old
A talented Bangladeshi cricketer who captained the national team and holds multiple records, known for his impressive batting skills and innovative playing style.
39 Years Old
A dominant all-rounder in international cricket, known for his exceptional batting and bowling skills, leading Bangladesh to several historic victories.
37 Years Old
Bangladesh's highest run-scorer in international cricket, known for his aggressive batting style and impressive records in the sport.
44 Years Old
A Bangladeshi cricketer who took 263 wickets in 84 Tests, earning him the title of one of the greatest bowlers in the country's cricket history.
