Bangladesh skipper Mashrafee bin Murtaza said on Sunday that he is inspired to do well in the forthcoming Dhaka Premier League after being hurt as top clubs snubbed him in the players’ draft. Mashrafee was picked up by Kalabagan Krira Chakra after the top clubs of the country were reluctant to secure his service for the top domestic one-day tournament.Mashrafee said on Sunday his ego was severely dented when he came to learn how clubs view him as a player. .
‘It was painful when I noticed my position among the clubs in the Dhaka Premier League,’ Mashrafee told reporters at Mirpur on Sunday.
‘I was probably the 11th player for Kalabagan and behind many others during the players’ draft.
‘I am inspired to do well with Kalabagan as this kind of rejection always boost me to do well,’ he said.
Mashrafee came to know about his team through Facebook during his vacation along with his family members in India and vowed to showcase his character.
Mashrafee had a price tag of Tk 30 lakh like six other icon cricketers Mushfiqur Rahim, Sakib al Hasan, Imrul Kayes, Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah and Sabbir Rahman.
However, Masharafee had to settle with Kalabagan after top-club rejected him despite having a proven track record in domestic cricket.
Mashrafee played a big role into guiding mediocre Comilla Victorians in the recent Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 tournament to title through his captaincy and all-round skill.
He faced a similar kind of rejection during his initial days at the Victorians camp as the franchise owner publicly claimed to be unhappy for not getting Sakib al Hasan as their icon.
Mashrafee took it into his stride and instead of making a scene out of the entire episode decided to payback his owner through guiding the side to championship by defeating the opponents through his cricketing excellence.
‘I think this kind of rejection inspires me to do well,’ said Mashrafee.
‘For instance, in the beginning of the BPL the management somehow felt that they were unlucky not to get a better cricketer than me in the auction.
‘Initially it was depressing but later I realised everyone has the right to choose a player whom he/she believed would serve their purpose in the best possible manner.
‘Though initially no one took us seriously in BPL but I always had the determination to do well with the available resources and with the help of a unified effort we clinched the championship.
‘I do not say that we will become champions in DPL but I believe if my boys can stick together we can go far in the competition.’
Mashrafee also wanted to use the situation to increase his prestige and also encourage the budding cricketers.
‘I have no personal ambition.
‘What would you ask after playing 16 years? You would prefer honour over money and I am getting that honour in Kalabagan.
‘I want to help youngsters. I make them set big dreams of playing in the national team.
‘I want to see them prepare properly so that they can fulfill the demand of national side.’
-With New Age input
