Biography
Mashrafe Mortaza (born 5 October 1983) is a Bangladeshi former cricketer and current politician who captained the Bangladesh cricket team in all formats. Known as the "Narail Express" for his pace and his connection to the Narail district, he was one of the most popular and inspiring cricket leaders in Bangladeshi history.
Born in Narail district, Mashrafe made his international debut in 2001 at age 17. He was known for his raw pace and aggressive bowling, and quickly became the face of Bangladeshi fast bowling. He suffered multiple career-threatening injuries but always fought back, earning admiration for his resilience.
As captain (2010-2020), Mashrafe led Bangladesh to their first-ever ODI series wins against major cricketing nations. Under his leadership, Bangladesh won series against India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. He retired from international cricket in 2020.
After retirement, Mashrafe entered politics and was elected to the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) from Narail in 2018 on an Awami League ticket. He remains one of the most beloved sports figures in Bangladesh.
Awards & Honours
Bangladesh Cricket Board's Best Bowler Award, multiple national awards