ICC ODI ranking
Mash breaks into top ten
Sports Reporter, Ctg
When everyone deems his career is in twilight, Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza proves he has a lot to give the side still, not only as captain but also as a player.
The recently concluded Afghanistan and England series have provided the facts that Mashrafe is still the X factor for team. Despite eight operations on his two legs, he has been playing still, something which rare in the sporting world but at the same time Mashrafe performed better than any other at the highest level.
He bowled tremendously well against Afghanistan but his best came up against England when he single-handedly helped the side level the series with a 34-run victory over the visitors in the second match in which he grabbed four wickets and blasted a whirlwind 29 ball-44.
He ended the series against England with eight wickets and duly rewarded for his performance by achieving his career best ninth place in the ICC ODI rankings. The rankings which was revealed yesterday now should slap the critics who believed he is only in the team because of his captaincy.
Even though he could perform according to his stature, Shakib Al Hasan still remains the best bowler from Bangladesh by getting the sixth place in the ODI rankings. Shakib also retained his top position in the ODI all-rounder rankings.
While on personal ground, its an achievement of Mashrafe, his side lost three crucial points but retained the seventh position. Bangladesh in fact didnt loss any rating points for the series defeat against England but the loss against Afghanistan cost them three rating points. Bangladesh has now 95 points while they started the series against Afghanistan with 98 points.
If they would win the series against England there could have gained some valuable rating points but could have lost valuable rating points in case of being whitewashed.
