Mirpur: Allrounder Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, who guided Bangladesh to victory over India in the 2007 World Cup, is a disappointed man on the historic day of his nation's first match of the World Cup.
The injured pacer is continuing his rehabilitation, hoping to be fit.
Though he was seen bowling at full speed under the watchful eyes of team coach Jamie Siddons and their bowling coach Ian Pont, he could not hide his frustration on missing the first match in front of his home crowd.
He was the man of the match when Bangladesh beat India in the 2007 World Cup and in another instance in 2004.
When journalists crowded around him to enquire about his fitness and regrets on missing the match, he said: "I wish I was in the team, but I am not. I am trying my best to regain my fitness and am now looking forward to quickly regain my place soon after the World Cup."
If Mortaza was fit, he would have been leading the team. It was following his injury that he was forced to give way his captaincy to Shakib Al Hasan.
This twenty-seven-year-old pacer, who also plays in the Indian Premier League, is familiar with most of the Indian batsmen's weakness.
Kolkata Knight Riders had signed him up for $600,000 (Dh2.2 million) for the 2009 IPL season.
Mortaza's advice to his teammates is to not get affected by the situation.
"The team should take it match by match and be positive and relaxed. We have the team to do well in the tournament," he said, before walking away for another bowling session.
He was seen tying a band around his right knee, an injury he had picked up while playing club cricket in Dhaka.
