Mashrafe Mortaza, the leading fast bowler of Bangladesh cricket team, is now in a good form ahead of the upcoming World Cup Cricket 2007. It is, for sure, Bangladesh team would expect some magical spells from this talented fast bowler during the world cup. Narail Express (the nickname of this) bowler was born in Narail of Bangladesh. Earlier in his career, he got in touch of West Indian great first bowler Andy Roberts while he was working with the Bangladeshi pace bowlers in 2001. With the help of Andy Roberts, Mashrafe became the leading fast bowler in the country.
Mashrafe Mortaza first got chance in the national team in 2001 for both the Test and ODI series against Zimbabwe. From then on, his performance graph has always been upbeat. However, within such a short career, he suffered from back and knee injuries and was out of the team for long time. Six times he had to be out of the ongoing series due to injury.
However, whenever he came back to the team, he could prove his class and potential as a quality fast bowler. As a fast bowler, he is aggressive in bowling and can maintain a good line and length. The year 2006 was a great year for this young star as he became the highest wicket taker in ODI cricket taking 49 wickets. Moreover, Mashrafe has a good fame as a hard hitter batsman who can boost up the score in the slog overs.
Mashrafe is now at the Caribbean with Bangladesh world cup team. In the first official warm up match of the world cup, Bangladesh defeated New Zealand by 2 wickets where Masheafe showed all round performance. He was on fire with his bowling as he bagged 4 New Zealand wickets and batted a superb innings of 30 facing just 14 balls. It was not the first time Mortaza showed his all round form rather; he led the victory of Bangladesh over India in 2004 with another excellent all round match winning performance.
It is big news for Bangladesh cricket team that Mashrafe is now on fire. If he can continue such form in the world cup then it is very possible for Bangladesh to make a big upset in the world cup. I think, Mashrafe has the potential to become one of the stars of this world cup. Now, let’s see how far Mashrafe and Bangladesh can go in World Cup Cricket 2007.
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