Happy Birthday, Narail Express

MNA Sports Desk: Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, popularly known as the Narail Express, the skipper of Bangladesh ODI team, has turned 34 today. He was born in Narail district on October 5, 1983.

Mashrafe broke into the national side in 2001 against Zimbabwe and became a sensation immediately. He was then arguably the fastest bowler for the country.

In between playing cricket, Mortaza got himself admitted into Department of Philosophy at the Jahangirnagar University in 2003–04 session for his bachelor’s degree.

Mortaza has been described as an open and animated character who enjoys motorcycling. He used to travel from a local bridge onto the tops of passing goods barges. He is very popular in his home town, leading to him being dubbed their “Prince of Hearts”.

At Govt. Victoria College, Narail, Mortaza met Sumona Haque Shumi, whom he married in 2006. He has a daughter now. His daughter’s name is Humaira Mortaza. He also becomes a father of a son at 5 October 2014 named Sahil.

Mashrafe is one of the most successful captains ever in the history of Bangladesh cricket and has led the side to many heroic victories under his tenure.

The right-arm pacer has played 36 Tests for Bangladesh, taking 78 scalps and as many as 232 wickets in 128 One-Day Internationals and 42 wickets in T20Is for Bangladesh. He was also the former T-20 captain.