Mashrafe joined politics to serve people from wider angle
© Cricfrenzy
|| CF Correspondent ||
Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza expressed his gratitude towards the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to choose him as the candidate of the ruling party in his constituency Narail-2.
He believed this opportunity given by the premier would be instrumental in his aspiration to serve the people of his area in wider angle as he has been craving for this since his childhood.
Even though the criticism poured on him, vastly from the opposition party’s supporters to join politics before his career comes to an, according to him, contesting in the election at this phase is a right decision given just some months of his career is left.
“If I play till the World Cup, there’s seven or eight months left (in my career). If my career ends after the World Cup I don’t know what will happen in the next four and a half years,” Mashrafe said in an impromptu press conference on Tuesday.
“Our honorable Prime Minister has given me an opportunity. I have a foundation that works for the people in my area. I think this is a great opportunity for me to enhance that. The election won’t be held again eight months later. That’s why felt like contesting this election.”
Mashrafe revealed, joining politics is the best way to serve the people in the best way.
“My career is coming to an end. I am not Sachin Tnedulkar or McGrath (Glenn McGrath) that people will remember me. I tried to play as much as I could despite all the struggles. I have always enjoyed doing something for people. Since my childhood, I have been craving to do something for people, something which could be only fulfilled by joining politics,” remarked Mashrafe, also disclosing that he has the weakness towards Awami League due to the personality of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The fast bowler, who is unarguably the first sportsman to continue game with eight surgeries on his two knees, believed Narail people will stand by him in fulfilling his aspiration.
He also made it clear that he won’t take general political route of demeaning his opposition candidate.
“Alhamdulillah, there is good support (from people of Narail) I haven’t personally visited (Narail) yet, so it is difficult to be precise. I will get to once I go there after the matches,” he said.
“I respect my opponent. I can’t disrespect him by saying I am better than him. There is no chance to demean someone else. Being a sportsman requires this mentality as well.”
Mashrafe said he will practice how to campaign for the election once the series against West Indies ends on December 14. Mashrafe currently plays just one format at the international levels.
“I did not practice anything (for my maiden election). I am still in the game. I have that mental adjustment; I can fully concentrate and do one thing at once.”
