Politician Mashrafe plays to merit
I am not Sachin Tendulkar or Glenn McGrath that people will remember my name long after I am gone from the sport, I played cricket my way. Despite my struggles, I played as well as I could throughout my career. However, I always enjoyed working for the people, you could say it was a childhood dream. Mashrafe Bin Mortaza Bangladesh ODI skipper
It was unlike the typical press conferences that have taken place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, where cricket has always remained at the forefront of all discussions.
There was no shortage of excitement and curiosity among the numerous reporters present at the home of cricket in Mirpur yesterday as they waited for Bangladesh ODI skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza to make good on a promise he made the day before to answer all questions regarding his involvement in politics.
For Mashrafe, it must have seemed like an intense batting session on a bouncy pitch during a Test where the inspirational cricketer tried to play according to merit. Asked whether it is now difficult to keep his focus on the game ahead of the ODI series against West Indies beginning on December 9, Mashrafe made his intentions clear.
“To me, not at all [difficult]. There is no chance for me to be distracted. At the moment I am not involved there [in politics] and my entire focus is on practice. Obviously I will concentrate on that after the 14th [the ODI series] but till the 14th, I want to keep my concentration on my game,” he told reporters.
Soon after negotiating that length ball, Mashrafe had to deflect another one coming to the stumps when asked for the reason behind him joining politics.
“First of all, consider that the World Cup it is still eight-nine months away. If my career ends after the World Cup, I don't know what will happen in the next four and half years. I have an opportunity to serve the people now, which is something I always enjoyed.
“The honourable Prime Minister [Sheikh Hasina] gave me the opportunity and as you know I have a foundation which works for the people of my hometown. I think it's a great opportunity for me to work for the people and only from that point I thought that there won't be an election after eight nine-months,” he continued.
The 35-year-old further elaborated his reasons for joining politics at this point by informing that it is his passion to serve the people on a broader scale and only a politics could help him achieve that goal. In addition, he referenced how he is not Sachin Tendulkar nor Glenn McGrath that everyone will remember him after his playing career.
The name Mashrafe is in the hearts of the entire nation, however, his introduction to politics will give rise to new opponents but the pacer made clear that his main aim is to serve the people.
In came a yorker when he was told that many young politicians had given hopes of change in the past but eventually went on to work in the 'conventional way' and ended up as disappointments.
“Look I am not here to show dreams. If there is anything conventional I won't say anything like that which you are not going to relate in future. If you want to review my work after I'm elected, you can,” Mashrafe assured.
Lastly, there was a well directed bouncer aimed at his silence during the quota reform and road safety demonstrations but Mashrafe managed to duck.
“What happened in the quota demonstration, I was never involved in such deep politics and I don't know about it. What I said clearly is that my intension is very simple and that I get the peace of mind by serving people.
“If you think of me as a deep level politician, that is not what I am as I am relatively inexperienced. But what I said is that I want to do good work,” he added.
Politics in Bangladesh has always been uncertain and so Mashrafe opined that it is important to keep your intentions clear and not worry about the consequences.
Heading towards the end of an eventful session, Mashrafe was asked if he is ahead of his opponent in the upcoming election, he played a delightful cover drive for a boundary and said, “I have never said that I am better than him. I respect him, how could I disrespect him and say that I am better than him? Look I am a sportsman and there has to be that mentality there.”
He may be a greenhorn in politics but Masharfe showed that he certainly has learned a few things already when asked why people would vote for him.
“Everyone has one vote each and if someone thinks I am capable he will vote for me,” he said.
However, he concluded with: “At the moment, political campaigning is not allowed.”
