Share

Tigers skipper expected to face SA despite hamstring strain

accreditation
Mashrafe Mortaza (Getty Images)
Mashrafe Mortaza (Getty Images)

Cape Town - Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza is expected to take his place in his team's opening game at the World Cup against South Africa on Sunday despite picking up a hamstring strain during a warm-up match.

The 35-year-old Morataza confirmed that he picked up a hamstring against India on Tuesday.

The Tigers skipper though has before played through the pain threshhold many times during his career.

Bangladesh open their World Cup campaign against the Proteas at the Oval on Sunday before playing New Zealand on 5 June.

Mashrafe told bdnews24: "A lot of times in such cases, I face trouble bowling the first one or two overs.

"Once I get through that, I don't face any more problems. I also wasn't facing any problems today [on Tuesday].

"But I pulled a hamstring during the sixth over. I could have stopped after four or five overs but Rohit and Kohli were looking to score runs quickly during that period.

"I felt that I needed to practice bowling in such a situation."

Mashrafe is a veteran of 209 ODIs and still one of his side's best performers while he is seen as an inspirational figure in the Bangladesh dressing room.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()