‘It’s time for us to win a tournament’

It is very good that one of us [Liton Das] is playing in the IPL. They flew out our Mustafizur [Rahman] on a chartered plane and didn't play him. There is a lot to it; There is a social media aspect to it and we become excited as well. Bangladesh cricket has a fanbase which they [IPL] can use Former Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza on how the IPL is probably using Bangladesh cricketers' social media impact.

Former Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza threw his weight behind Shakib Al Hasan, backing up the current Test and T20I captain's sentiment that 2023 could potentially be a good year for Bangladesh.

So far, the year has seen series wins against England and Ireland and Bangladesh reach fourth position in the ODI Super League. A 3-0 clean sweep in an away series against Ireland could even see them climb to second.

After featuring for Legends of Rupganj in an exciting one-run win in the Dhaka Premier League, Mashrafe said it would be more prudent to continue to focus on building the team now rather than think about ODI Super League standings.

"It would be good for us to end in second position. But even if they finished in eighth place, they would still play the World Cup. How we play from the beginning of the World cup is what's going to matter," Mash said.

Bangladesh's only triumph in a multi-nation series came ahead of the 2019 ODI World Cup, when they won a tri-nation series in Ireland also featuring the hosts and the West Indies.

The 2023 World Cup is the last hurrah for the most of the team's stalwarts and, like many others, Mashrafe too was banking on the side's experience.

"If the team's best player [Shakib] believes, then so do we. If you ask why Shakib said such a thing, I believe there isn't another team in world cricket as experienced as ours. Even Australia aren't as experienced. It's time for us to win a tournament, maybe the Asia Cup or could be the World Cup. Even youngsters like [Nazmul Hossain] Shanto have four-five years' experience.

"So with that in mind, Shakib can say such a thing and I back him absolutely. This year can be very big for us if everyone is healthy, in form and has a clear mind."

Veterans such as Mushfiqur Rahim appear to be finding new gears in their ODI mentality, with the wicketkeeper-batsman recently batting at number six and producing brilliant knocks.

Mashrafe believed that players needed to fulfil the roles they are given by the team management while also opining it may not be over for Mahmudullah Riyad at the World Cup, even if he is not taken onboard as a starter.

"Where Mushy is batting and that he is enjoying himself, is good for the team. Most importantly he has accepted himself and the challenge that coach has given him.

"I can't talk about selection but I won't say that Mahmudullah has no chance. We all know what he can do. If they want to see a player in a particular position, then even when Riyad is being taken, there could be a back-up option who has already been observed.

"Only winning with the team is important. If you are talking particularly about Riyad, he has to accept that. If I don't perform, after two or three matches I will be dropped. It's also important to fulfil what the team management is asking of you."

Mashrafe's Legend of Rupganj picked up their eighth win as Chirag Jani defended two runs off the last delivery as Umar Amin's 133-ball 128 for Dhaka Leopards went in vain at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Abahani returned to winning ways with a nine-run win against Agrani Bank. Mohammad Naim continued his excellent DPL form, hitting 79 as Abahani posted 267 all out. Needing 16 off the last over, Agrani fell short despite Marshall Ayub's unbeaten fifty at the Khan Saheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah.

Towhid Hridoy struck an unbeaten 98 after Saif Hassan's 70 at the top to chase down Prime Bank's 244 and lead Sheikh Jamal to a seven-wicket win at the BKSP in another match.