Mashrafe Mortaza – The Narail Express and Bangladesh’s Most Successful Captain

Introduction

Mashrafe Mortaza, also known as the Narail Express, is a legendary Bangladeshi cricketer and politician. He is widely regarded as Bangladesh’s greatest ODI captain, leading the team to historic victories in international cricket. Mortaza’s career was defined by his unwavering determination, fast bowling, and inspirational leadership.

Despite battling numerous injuries, he always made a strong comeback, proving his resilience on the field. Under his captaincy, Bangladesh reached the 2015 Cricket World Cup quarter-finals, the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy semi-finals, and finished as runners-up in multiple Asia Cups.

Apart from cricket, Mashrafe also served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Narail-2, playing a vital role in Bangladesh’s development. In this article, we explore his career stats, achievements, IPL journey, domestic performances, records, and latest updates.

Mashrafe Mortaza – Quick Facts

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Mashrafe Bin Mortaza
Born	5 October 1983 (Age 41)
Birthplace	Narail, Khulna, Bangladesh
Nicknames	Mash, Koushik, Narail Express
Batting Style	Right-handed
Bowling Style	Right-arm fast
Role	Bowler, Captain
National Team	Bangladesh (2001–2020)
Political Party	Bangladesh Awami League
MP Tenure	2019 – 2024
IPL Team	Kolkata Knight Riders (2009)

Career Statistics

Format	Matches	Runs	Batting Avg	Strike Rate	100s/50s	Top Score
Tests	36	797	12.85	59.36	0/3	79
ODIs	220	1,787	13.74	84.71	0/1	51*
T20Is	54	377	13.96	125.33	0/0	36
IPL	1	2	–	–	0/0	2*

International Career

Debut Matches

• Test Debut: 8 November 2001 vs Zimbabwe
• ODI Debut: 23 November 2001 vs Zimbabwe
• T20I Debut: 28 November 2006 vs Zimbabwe

Rise to Stardom

Mashrafe made an instant impact in his debut Test match, picking up four wickets against Zimbabwe. His ability to bowl at speeds above 140 km/h made him Bangladesh’s first genuine fast bowler.

In 2006, he emerged as the highest wicket-taker in ODIs, picking up 49 wickets that year. His four-wicket haul against India in the 2007 Cricket World Cup knocked the tournament favorites out of the group stage.

Captaincy Era (2014–2020)

Mashrafe was appointed Bangladesh’s full-time ODI and T20I captain in 2014. Under his leadership, Bangladesh experienced a golden era, winning major series against cricketing giants.

Major Achievements as Captain

2015 Cricket World Cup – Led Bangladesh to their first-ever quarter-final
2017 ICC Champions Trophy – Qualified for semi-finals
2016 & 2018 Asia Cup Finalist – Finished runners-up both times
Defeated India (2015), Pakistan (2015), and South Africa (2015) in ODI series victories
First Bangladesh captain to win 50 ODIs

Under his captaincy, Bangladesh became one of the most competitive ODI teams in the world.

Domestic Career

Bangladesh Premier League (BPL)

Mashrafe has been a dominant force in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), captaining multiple teams to championships.

Team	Years Played	Titles Won
Dhaka Gladiators	2012–2013	(2012, 2013)
Comilla Victorians	2015–2016	(2015)
Rangpur Riders	2017	(2017)
Dhaka Platoon	2019–2020
Sylhet Strikers	2023–2024

 BPL Records:

• Most successful BPL captain (4 titles)
• First bowler to take four wickets in four balls in BPL history
• Led Rangpur Riders to their first-ever BPL title (2017)

Indian Premier League (IPL)

Mashrafe played for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 2009 IPL but got limited opportunities.

Team	Years Played	Best IPL Score	Total Runs
Kolkata Knight Riders	2009	2*	2

Records & Milestones

Record	Details
Most Successful Bangladesh ODI Captain	50 wins in 88 matches
Most Wickets in ODIs for Bangladesh	270 wickets
First Bangladeshi Bowler to Take 100 ODI Wickets as Captain	Achieved in 2019
Fastest Bangladeshi Bowler	Clocked 147 km/h in a Test against New Zealand (2001)
Most Wickets in a Calendar Year (ODIs)	49 wickets in 2006
Most BPL Titles as a Captain	4 titles

Exclusion from Squad & Retirement

After stepping down from captaincy in 2020, Mashrafe was not included in the squad for future matches. His performance in the 2019 Cricket World Cup was below expectations, taking just one wicket in eight matches.

On 6 March 2020, he played his last ODI against Zimbabwe, marking the end of his captaincy career. However, he has not officially announced his retirement from ODI cricket.

Despite stepping away from international cricket, Mashrafe remains active in domestic cricket and politics.

Political Career

Mashrafe was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Narail-2 in 2019. He focused on improving sports infrastructure, youth development, and healthcare facilities. His dedication to his community has made him one of the most respected public figures in Bangladesh.

 Notable Achievements in Politics:
Built modern cricket training facilities in Narail
 Launched Narail Express Foundation to support underprivileged athletes
 Worked on improving healthcare and education in rural Bangladesh

Mashrafe Mortaza Latest News & Updates

Stay updated with the latest news about Mashrafe Mortaza, including his cricketing and political journey.

 Updates on his performances in BPL and DPL
 His insights on Bangladesh cricket’s future
 His contributions as a Member of Parliament
 Check out the Latest News on Mashrafe Mortaza!

Final Thoughts

Mashrafe Mortaza is one of the greatest cricketers in Bangladesh’s history. His leadership transformed the team into a strong force in international cricket. From being Bangladesh’s fastest bowler to becoming the most successful ODI captain, his journey is an inspiration.

Even though he has stepped away from international cricket, his legacy will live on. His contributions to Bangladesh cricket, both as a player and as a leader, have made him a national hero.

Stay tuned for more updates on Mashrafe Mortaza’s journey!