Looking Forward to Playing in India, Says Bangladesh Skipper Mashrafe Mortaza
Bangladesh have never been invited to play a full-fledged bilateral series in India despite making their Test debut back in 2000.
Bangladesh made their foray into the Test arena in 2000 against India but in 15 years, have never received an invitation from BCCI, something that the current players are looking forward to, insists their limited overs captain Mashrafe Mortaza.
Asked about his opinion on playing in India, Mortaza made it clear that he wanted to play an international series in India. (Mortaza Happy India Sending Full Strength Teams to Bangladesh)
"Yes, definitely the boys really want to play in India. We are looking forward to it. Maybe, at some stage, we will go there and play," Mortaza told PTI in an interview ahead of India's upcoming tour of Bangladesh.
For the record, Bangladesh have played a total of three ODIs on Indian soil only in tournaments like the Asia Cup (1990-91) and Coca-Cola triangular series (1998).
Bangladesh's World Cup quarter-final against India was not free of controversy with Rohit Sharma being ruled not-out off a full-toss bowled by Rubel Hossain, which was adjudged a no-ball by umpire Ian Gould.
The lanky Bangaldesh seamer categorically said that he has moved on from that event.
"I don't want to talk about it and want to look ahead," he said when asked about the incident.
While terming the Indian batting line-up dangerous, Mortaza sounded respectful of India's pace attack that did really well in the World Cup, apart from the semi-final.
"India have a strong batting order. You can't rule out anyone. There is Virat Kolhi, Rohit, Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinjya Rahane - they are all in good form. Mahendra Singh Dhoni has done well in the last six to eight years. So it's difficult to pinpoint one of them. The bowlers, especially the quicks, have been in good form since the World Cup," Mortaza said with a note of caution.
The senior bowler was also not bothered about DRS not being implemented due to reservations from BCCI.
"I am not losing my sleep over the DRS. If we can't use, they also can't. It's not a big deal for us."
Something that's worrying Mortaza is the impending monsoon season which could play spoilsport.
"I hope rains keep away and both teams can play 50 overs," said the ODI captain, who has last played Test cricket back in 2009.