Mashrafe says ‘no election thought’ before West Indies series is over

Aspirants running for parliament will hit the campaign trail next week, but unlike them Mashrafe Bin Mortaza is not preoccupied with election now.

The One-Day International series at home against West Indies will start next Sunday and end on Dec 14.

The Bangladesh ODI skipper is seeking election to parliament in the Dec 30 election with the ruling Awami League’s ticket.

He took questions about his election race at a news conference in Dhaka on Tuesday as he “doesn’t want to face the questions in the pre-match media briefings”.

“There is no thought of election in my mind now. My full concentration is on practice. Of course, I will focus on that (election) after Dec 14. I will be fully focused on the game before that day,” he said. 

"And of course I want to win the series. It’s like any other series to me," the ODI skipper said. 

Mashrafe said he was yet to start connecting with people for vote. He will travel to Narail after the ODI series.

The 35-year-old reiterated the uncertainty that looms over his cricketing career as well following the latest move, noting that he may not be playing cricket after the World Cup which will end in July next year.

“I don’t know what is waiting for me in the four and a half years left after the World Cup,” he repeated.

Mashrafe also said he did not know whether he will join cricket management after he retires from ty2 game.

“My career is of course in its final hours. I am neither Sachin Tendulkar nor am I (Glenn) McGrath so that people will always remember me,” Mashrafe remarked.

The cricket star said he always enjoyed working for people and it was his childhood desire to join politics.

“Now the prime minister (Sheikh Hasina) has given me the opportunity to do something on a large scale,” he said.

Asked why he had remained silent during the movements for reforms to quota system in government jobs for safe roads, he said he never “thought so deeply about politics before”. 

“You will be doing injustice to me if you consider me a thorough politician…I just want to do good things for people,” he said.

He said his decision to join politics was new to his family also. “It will take time for them, for me to adjust. It’s natural,” he said.   

Turning to criticism of his decision to join politics, he said he has no control over what others are saying.

“But I believe everybody should have the guts to speak publicly about his or her support for a political party, if there is any,” he added.