As a pacer it is a rare accomplishment specially representing Bangladeshi side, where chopping and changing is a frequent, and his injury prone career that compelled him to undergo for seven major surgical operations made him a prime example of doggedness.
Debuted against Zimbabwe on November 8 in a Test match in 2001, Mashrafee, in terms of career longevity, will surpass former national captain Akram Khan, who fell just short of 15 years in his career.
‘I still can remember I did not feel it anything special when I got my first call up in Test,’ Mashrafee recalled on Monday. I was quite happy with my life in Narail. But it took me to entirely a new world.’
But a career which started so inauspiciously has now turned into a phenomenal one not just because he achieved so many things as an individual but also for his role as an inspirational captain of the side.
Since 2014 under the auspicious of Mashrafee, Bangladesh team, which had been a perennial loser before, won some series against the superpower like India, Pakistan, South Africa and reached the quarter-final of the World Cup to make them a force to reckon with.
It is believed that his iconic presence acted as the philosopher’s stone to transform the team.
Mashrafee, who grabbed eight wickets in the last England series to take his career tally to 216, became the highest wicket taker as a Bangladeshi in ODI surpassing Sakib al Hasan.
It proved his worth not only as the captain but as the premium fast bowler despite all his injuries.
Many of his personal achievements were also eclipsed under the shadow of his great personality and although he remained a source of inspiration for Tigers often his performances were not celebrated like others.
He played his most emotional match back in March 17, 2007, just the day after the premature demise of his childhood friend and team-mate Manjarul Islam Rana in an accident, and he grabbed 4-38 with high fever to demolish Indian batting side.
That ultimately helped Bangladesh beat the strong Indian side to eliminate them from that World Cup from group stage in West Indies and it is believed that win ascended Bangladesh’s status in the cricketing world.
Mashrafee also made important all-round performance to beat the same side for the first time in what was also Bangladesh’s first ever win on home soil and ironically their 100th ODI as well.
He also set the tone against Australia back in 18 January 2005 at Cardiff by picking up dangerous Adam Gilchrist early and conceding just five runs in six overs.
Ultimately Mohammad Ashraful became the hero with his century to bring one of the most memorable wins for Tigers, leaving Mashrafee and others in the shadow.
‘The way I bowled Ricky Ponting in that match, he would have been dismissed three times,’ Mashrafee recalled the memory.
The same thing happened when Bangladesh won their first Test series against Zimbabwe, with Mashrafee grabbing nine wickets only to see Enamul Haque stealing the spotlight with 18 wickets.
Mashrafee’s great achievement is to insert the killer instinct among the Tigers that they lack to overcome the final barrier to win against the opponents but his impact may be even greater in future.
Traditionally country’s youngsters used to dream for becoming a good batsman on flat wickets or at least join the procession of plethora of left-arm spinners to make their name, the legacy of Mashrafee has changed their mindset to become a fearsome pace bowler.
That was evident even in the last couple of years with the advent of some talented fast bowlers and the inspiration seems to produce many more in future to make Bangladesh an even stronger side.
His wonderful personal achievement, charismatic leadership has transformed Bangladesh side to a force to reckon with but his legacy may one day make an even greater impact to make his beloved side best in the world.
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