Mashrafe wishes luck to Tamim and Co

Former Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza took to his social media account to wish good luck  Bangladesh ODI team ahead of their home series against West Indies. Bangladesh are all set to return to international cricket after around a 10-month break forced by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bangladesh will begin the month-long home series taking on visitors West Indies in the first game of the three-match ODI series at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday.

Veteran right-arm pacer Mashrafe, who stepped down from captaincy a year ago, also wished his successor, the new Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal best for the journey ahead.

“The wait for the Bangladesh cricket fans is finally going to get over. The beloved team will get to the field tomorrow (Wednesday). Best wishes for the team,” said Mashrafe through his social media post on Tuesday evening.

“Special love and prayers for Tamim Iqbal Khan. I pray that you (Tamim) come over all pressures and walk as winner like always. All the best for the new beginning. There shall be just one cheer - Bangladesh,” the post added.

Tamim was named as the Bangladesh ODI captain in March last year after Mashrafe had stepped down from the role. Mashrafe retired as Bangladesh captain with a 3-0 series win against visitors Zimbabwe in the same month. The decision for the right-arm pacer had come amid  a wide discussion over his retirement from international cricket.

@TamimOfficial28 in his first official press conference since taking charge as the ODI skipper in March last year emphasized the need of creating a team DNA that would lead it to positive results.https://t.co/YZCMz799gz

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) January 19, 2021

The 37-year old Mashrafe is still available for national call as a player. The national think-tank however, has not kept him as part of the plan for the road towards ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 that starts with the West Indies series. Mashrafe as ODI captain has led Bangladesh to 50 ODI victories.