DHAKA – He may be Bangladesh’s biggest cricket star, but Mashrafe Mortazainsists he is not another Imran Khan, Pakistan’s cricketingsuperhero-turned-prime minister.
Contesting a seat in the national parliament for the ruling Awami Leagueparty in the December 30 elections, Mashrafe says he just wants to do morefor sports and charity.
“To be honest, the level where Imran Khan has reached, people cannot alwaysreach there even if they want to,” Mashrafe told AFP in an interview.
“My desire is to do something for sports… since I am a sportsman, my wishis limited here. I will work for my region to see if I can do somethinggood.”
Mashrafe hails from the southwestern district of Narail where his charityNarail Express — also the fast-bowler’s nickname — has donated ambulancesto hospitals and high-yield rice seeds to farmers.
Turning to politics is nothing new for cricketers in South Asia, where thesport is massively popular.
But unusually, Mashrafe is still playing, captains Bangladesh in theone-day format of the game, and intends to lead the team at next year’sWorld Cup.
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Mashrafe has already retired from Twenty20 international cricket and hasnot played a Test match since 2009.
He may also have been upstaged in the hearts of the nation’s cricket fansby his teammate Shakib Al Hasan, one of the world’s leading all-rounders.
But Mashrafe’s die-hard attitude off the pitch — he has had sevenoperations on his knee — and on-field expressions of patriotism could wellendear him to voters.
He also won plaudits as captain, guiding the cricket minnows to their firstWorld Cup quarter-final in 2015. – APP/AFP
