Mortaza raring to go in World Twenty20
Having played only one IPL game, Mashrafe Mortaza can't wait to get back on the field
Cricinfo staff
30-May-2009
Mashrafe Mortaza had a poor IPL, conceding 58 runs in the one match he played • Bangladesh Cricket Board
Mashrafe Mortaza, the Bangladesh fast bowler, who played only one match in IPL, can't wait to get back on the field when the World Twenty20 begins on June 5 in England.
Mortaza warmed the Kolkata Knight Riders bench for nearly a month after being bought for an unexpected US$600,000 and then conceded 58 runs in four overs for no wickets.
However Mortaza said it was a great experience to mix with the top players in the IPL. "Now I want to play and do well for my country," Mortaza was quoted telling AFP. "That is the only thing on my mind."
Mohammad Ashraful, the Bangladesh captain, said the team relied on Mortaza to improve on their eighth position in the last World Cup. "He is a kind of player you turn to when in trouble and invariably he will deliver whether it is with the bat or ball. The whole team relies on him. He is our superstar."
The coach Jamie Siddons was confident the English conditions would favour Mortaza's bowling. "Mashrafe is obviously one of our key players."
Bangladesh begin their World Cup campaign in Trent Bridge against India on June 6. They won two of their three warm-up games, beating Netherlands by 64 runs, Scotland by six wickets, while losing to New Zealand by four wickets.
Mortaza picked up three wickets for 54 runs in the matches.