Mashrafe to tour Pakistan if BCB considers him

Captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza said he will be here for always in Bangladesh cricket's needs as he is ready to do anything for the sake of the country's cricket.

Mashrafe's comment came in the wake of the question that whether he would visit Bangladesh for a solitary ODI match if the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) wants. The most successful captain of the country is currently playing just ODI format.

However, Mashrafe's future is not clear yet as the BCB president Nazmul Hassan indicated that the Zimbabwe series will be the lanky pacer's last as the captain since they would appoint a long term captain, eying 2023 World Cup. He also said, if Mashrafe wants to continue cricket, he should prove his performance and match fitness to make him available.

"Firstly I don't know what will happen after this series," Mashrafe said, replying to a query whether he would tour Pakistan.

"But in Bangladesh cricket's needs, I am ready to go anywhere. What I feel is that the BCB is our guardian. What decision they will take, they will take it thinking not for once or twice, they will think about it for 10 times. So I believe they will make the best decision. We should consider the board's decision as final."

Bangladesh has already twice visited Pakistan for first two legs of tour that included a three-match T20 series and a first Test. On both occasions, Mushfiqur Rahim opted against touring Pakistan, citing security reasons. Bangladesh will visit Pakistan for the last phase of the tour that includes a solitary ODI and second Test. Mushfiqur Rahim is believed to opt against the third phase of the tour also.

"We should honour the decision of Mushfiqur Rahim," Mashrafe said. "The BCB has given the option to opt against touring Pakistan. Moreover, the selector will take the decision who will be part of the team. If I am called up for Pakistan tour, I will give my answer."