Former Bangladesh cricket captain, Mashrafe Mortaza, expressed his disappointment with critics who have been treating Shakib Al Hasan unfairly, suggesting their behavior stems from jealousy. Shakib’s absence from Bangladesh’s warm-up match against Sri Lanka sparked discussions about his role in the World Cup, leading to Mortaza’s critique.
Shakib Al Hasan was unable to participate in Bangladesh’s opening warm-up match due to an injury sustained while playing golf before the game against Sri Lanka. Speculation arose regarding Shakib’s potential absence from the World Cup, including the team’s first match against Afghanistan. In Shakib’s absence, the reins were handed to Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who captained Bangladesh in the practice match against Sri Lanka.
However, the conversations surrounding Shakib’s availability took a negative turn, with some suggesting he should be excluded from the team altogether. Mortaza, responding to this sentiment, expressed his concerns about the mindset of the current generation, referring to it as “mentally sick.”
“Shakib was injured, so he didn’t play in the first warm-up match. We hope for his swift recovery. However, I’ve observed numerous individuals writing or saying that he should be excluded from the team because he’s injured. Is this even a topic of discussion? What kind of mental sickness is this?” Mortaza vented on his personal Facebook account.
Mortaza’s criticism of this negative sentiment towards Shakib Al Hasan comes on the heels of another incident involving the cricketer. Shakib recently faced criticism for his comments regarding Tamim Iqbal’s position in the batting order. In an interview on T-Sports, Shakib referred to Tamim Iqbal as “childish” for his reluctance to be flexible with his batting position.
Addressing the larger issue, Mortaza, who captained the Tigers in the 2019 World Cup, emphasized the importance of supporting the team as a whole. He urged fans and critics alike to rally behind the squad as they embark on their World Cup journey on Indian soil.
“Is this the team of an individual or a country? Each player represents our nation, and they collectively bear our World Cup aspirations. While some may have their favorite cricketers, it’s vital to remember that the team belongs to all of us. The most crucial thing now is to stand behind the World Cup squad and instill in them the belief that they can achieve victory,” Mortaza stated.
As Bangladesh sets its sights on a successful campaign in the World Cup, Mortaza’s words serve as a reminder of the importance of unity and support for the national team. Regardless of individual opinions and preferences, the collective goal remains to rally behind Bangladesh’s cricketing representatives as they pursue their dreams on the world stage
