We are eager to play England series: Mash

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza said with a bemused smile that everything was fine as the national camp got underway yesterday without the presence of the foreign coaches under an unfamiliar security measure that even restricted the reporters' and photojournalists' movements at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

Bangladesh's limited-overs captain expressed optimism over the home series against England in October even as uncertainty shrouds the country in the wake of the horrific July 1 Gulshan terrorist attack.  Instead he placed emphasis on self-motivation regarding fitness in the absence of the national team's strength and conditioning coach Mario Villavarayan and getting the players ready for the upcoming home series.

 “To maintain the cricket culture, I hope they (England) will come and it will be a good series,” said an optimistic Mashrafe, before going on to speak about the Tigers fans' passion for the game.

“The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is working on the tour. Personally I believe the series will take place. The players and the fans have been looking forward to the tour as there has not been any international cricket for quite some time [since the end of the World T20 in early April] and the England Under-19 team came to play in the Under-19 World Cup. They had gotten adequate security then and surely will receive the same,” he added.

When asked how difficult it was to keep focus on the job when there has been uncertainty, Mashrafe said: "The tour is still a long way away.  The most important thing is that we must stay fit and get ready for the series because everything will not be finished here.”

Mashrafe however was not yet willing to talk about how big a loss it would be for Bangladesh cricket if England do not visit as it will only extend the long wait for the Tigers to play Test cricket.

Meanwhile, England are scheduled to land in Bangladesh on September 30 for a three-ODI and two-Test series through October.

In the recent past Mario Villavarayan conducted the first part of any camp to ensure the fitness of the players but he has delayed his return, citing personal reasons, forcing the board to run the camp with the local experts.

So the obvious question was whether the absence of Mario had a negative impact as some players may start relaxing. Mashrafe however believed that it is an opportunity for the players to show their true professional character and emphasised the responsibility of the seniors in this regard.

 “True, Mario's absence is not something we are used to. But we have got Ifti [local trainer Iftikharul Islam] and he is with us for long time. The players understand what they need to do and they are well aware of their responsibilities. It's not like we do everything only if we have Mario. I think it's an opportunity for the players to take their own responsibility.”