Mashrafe Mortaza
Bangladesh

MASHRAFE Mortaza is the long-serving ODI skipper who has led Bangladesh in two straight World Cups. But in this tournament, the 35-year-old paceman has not been able to make much impact with just a solitary wicket in five matches until now. Making his entry into international cricket in November 2001, Mashrafe harbours dreams of ending his long career with a bang. His leadership is one reason of Bangladesh doing well.

Gulbadin Naib
Afghanistan

RATHER a controversial choice as captain of Afghanistan just on eve of this World Cup, Gulbadin Naib has been doing his best to keep his players together despite reports of disunity in the camp. Gulbadin’s first sporting love was amateur bodybuilding and not cricket. But once he took up the game he gradually developed into a pace-bowling all-rounder. The 28-year-old from Logar has done well but Afghanistan are struggling.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2019