||CF Correspondent||

Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza is in doubt for the upcoming ODI series against West Indies as he has decided to contest the upcoming general election from his home district of Narail.

Mashrafe retired from T20Is last year and has not featured in the Test team for nearly a decade now. However, the pre-election campaign process might keep him from participating in the only format he plays when the Tigers face the Caribbean side.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan, too, could not confirm the fast-bowler’s availability for the next ODI series but guaranteed his participation in the upcoming ICC World Cup.

The board president believes that Mashrafe will waste no time in reinstating himself back into the team once he gets the opportunity.

“This is actually difficult to answer. But as far as I know, he will be available during the World Cup. Currently, there are issues regarding the election and his nomination paper submission. I will get to know once I meet him, maybe today. I think if he gets the opportunity, he will play. If he is free even for a single day, he will definitely play because the game is still his first priority I think,” said Nazmul.

When asked if joining politics will hamper Mashrafe’s playing career, the board president said: “I do not think that’s right. Shakib also wanted to join politics. But since Shakib will play for four or five more years, the honorable Prime Minister advised him to play [instead of joining politics now].

“However, Mashrafe's case is a bit different. We are not really sure how long he will play. He has been playing despite his physical condition and that means a lot.”

The BCB president said that Mashrafe is an irreplaceable captain and defended his decision to join politics considering the 35-year-old might put an end to his playing career in near future.

According to Nazmul Hassan, Mashrafe can contribute to sports more strongly, by joining politics.