Test cricket is what its name suggests: a real test. Players
always hope to make to Test squads because that is where everyone wants to
belong—it is the place where the true quality of a player can be determined.
Some players, however, can’t play in Tests—not because they
lack in quality, but because their physical fitness doesn’t allow them to.
Mashrafe Mortaza is one such example. The pacer last played a Test back in
2009, but still hopes to play for Bangladesh wearing the white shirt.
"Every player has the passion to play Test cricket.
Though I am 34 now, I still have that desire to bowl in white dress. Basically
I have to take everything into consideration," Mashrafe told Cricbuzz on
Saturday.
"So it is difficult to specify when I can make the
comeback but surely I will try making an attempt if everything goes according
to plan.”
The captain of the ODI team then stated that he is making relevant
progress in his fitness and sees hope of playing for the country in Tests yet
again.
"I have made substantial amount of progress in my
fitness and that is giving me the ray of hope. Now I want to improve on that
fitness and see where it stands," the 34-year-old added.
"Now if I can develop my fitness and after playing
first-class cricket I can make significant amount of progress, then why not
make a Test comeback."
The 34-year-old pacer is an inspirational figure for the
Tigers. His presence in the Test circuit alone will boost the players’ morale.
However, his fragile legs are a cause of concern for everyone as he has to
spend a considerable amount of time after every game to remove the excess fluids
from his knee.
Hence, playing Test cricket will only further aggravate his pain and he could risk ending up in a wheelchair by the time he is in his 40s—and we certainly don’t want that.
Picture credit: Getty Images
