LONDON: Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza admitted he needs time to decide his future amid speculation he will retire or resign following his team’s World Cup exit.
Mashrafe’s side lost by 94 runs against Pakistan at Lord’s on Friday in a disappointing conclusion to their World Cup campaign.
Attention turned to Mashrafe’s future at the post-match press conference, but the 35-year-old wasn’t ready to reveal his plans.
“My future plan is obviously going home from here, and then I’ll rethink,” he told reporters.
Bangladesh had already been eliminated from the race to qualify for the semi-finals, but had hoped to finish the tournament on a high note.
Instead, they succumbed to a limp defeat that left them with three wins from nine matches in the tournament.
Asked how he rated Bangladesh’s campaign, Mashrafe conceded they had been exposed at times in their sloppy fielding, while his bowlers found it hard to thrive in English conditions.
“I think the players tried their best. As I said, there were a few areas we could improve a lot. We knew what our weaknesses were,” he said.
“If we play in Asia, I think it will be a far better bowling site than here. So we need to find our best ways to bowl them out or maybe restrict them.
“Batting hasn’t been an issue before the World Cup. I think the boys are clear what they can do. Fielding, it has been concern there all of my career … This is the part the players can change. We really need to improve fielding.”
The World Cup’s round-robin format — with each of the 10 teams facing each other once before the top four move into the semi-finals — has received mixed reviews, but Mashrafe relished the opportunity for Bangladesh to play all the top sides.
“That format I loved, because every team has been exposed to everyone else. And to be honest I think some people will not be very happy with that,” he said. (AGENCIES)
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It was incredible: Shaheen on his six-wicket haul
LONDON, July 6:
He entered the record books with a six-wicket haul against Bangladesh in the World Cup and young Pakistan speedstar Shaheen Afridi said it was “incredible” to achieve the feat at Lord’s here.
Afridi became the youngest ever bowler at 19 years and 90 days to claim a five-wicket haul in the World Cup when his six for 35 helped Pakistan dismiss Bangladesh for 221 and notch up a 94-run win in their last outing.
“I’m so happy with performance and taking six wickets is incredible,” said Shaheen, who also became the first Pakistan bowler to take six wickets in the World Cup.
“It means so much to have this record when you think of all the legends of Pakistan cricket. To be able to take six wickets at Lord’s is a very big moment for me and my family, it’s the Home of Cricket and a very special place.
“We’ve played such good cricket in the last four matches and it’s disappointing it’s now over. This is my first World Cup, and the same for other players too, that is very good news for the future.”
Another notable performance in the match came from opener Imam Ul-Haq, who scored a run-a-ball 100 to set the platform for Pakistan’s 315 for nine.
However, Imam was left to rue the missed chances as Pakistan exited the tournament despite four successive wins.
The 1992 champions missed out on the knockout stage due to their net run-rate which was less than New Zealand, who qualified as the fourth semifinalist.
“I think the Australia defeat hurts me a lot. I was set and playing well. I should have won that match for Pakistan,” he said.
“We lost four quick wickets and I think I should have won that game and we would have beaten a big team in the World Cup.
“I had starts but couldn’t score big. I am very young so I have learned a lot in this World Cup. What mistakes I have committed; I have learned from them and I am sure that will help me.” (AGENCIES)
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