'I want my last match to be at home'

He has been the longest serving cricketer in the history of Bangladesh cricket and also its most successful ODI captain. Mashrafe Bin Mortaza has taken Bangladesh cricket to new heights with his charisma, inspirational leadership and his performances as a fast bowler. In an exclusive interview with The Daily Star's Mazhar Uddin, the 33-year-old speaks about various issues including the philosophy behind his success, the importance of family life and the looming close to a storied international career. The following are excerpts from the conversation.

The Daily Star (TDS): How does Mashrafe view himself after playing for Bangladesh for 17 years?

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (MBM): I don't know if anyone will believe it or not but I am exactly the same as my character was 17 years ago. I did not wish to change myself and honestly, I can't. When I first came to play cricket I didn't know anyone, did not understand anything and I met people with an open heart -- I am exactly the same now. I could never see myself differently just because I am a cricketer.

TDS: What is needed to become a successful captain? What have you done to become successful?

MBM: First of all I never thought of becoming the captain of Bangladesh and I will never advise anyone to think of becoming captain. Then it becomes selfish and secondly, it's not as if you will become successful when you become a captain; it will place unnecessary pressure. It's a process when everything, especially luck, is in your favour of you, only then will you become successful. So I won't advise anyone to start thinking of captaincy to think of captaincy as I have seen many cricketers with that ambition disappear quickly.

TDS: Which particular thing worked well behind your success?

MBM: As a player you can say there is love for the game, but that's normal. With the injuries I faced, others would have gotten frustrated in that scenario, but I never got frustrated and I returned stronger. The main reason is that I wanted to play this game – that's what was there inside me always. Another thing you can say is my relationship with the players... ever since Naimur Rahman Durjoy bhai was my captain till [Mehedi Hasan] Miraz I am able to gel with players open-heartedly, which is what I think is special for me.

TDS: How important is family for a player?

MBM: That's the most important thing as you have to stay with your family. At times even your friend may not understand what you are going through, maybe the closest of them might understand. But I think it's family which understands you the most as you eat, sleep, the clothes you like to wear and other things that only a family can know. The family you have around you can often help determine whether your career is a long or short one.

TDS: Do you think it would be great to have a trophy beside you when you retire?

MBM: Not necessarily, but it's not like I don't have the opportunity and maybe if Allah wants and I remain fit I can play till the 2019 World Cup so there is still a chance. But for me that's not necessary, although many have told me that you deserve a trophy. Honestly, that never crossed my mind and these things don't touch me at all. To me it's important to take the team to a stable position.

TDS: Do you want to retire from cricket on your home soil?

MBM: Obviously, I have the desire to do so but it's as if whatever I am planning is going to happen. But if everything goes well and I remain fit, and at the same time the environment is also very crucial for things to go in my favour. I have retired suddenly from T20 cricket but I don't want to do the same in ODIs. But I do have a tendency of taking sudden decisions, and that has happened in my personal life as well. And if everything goes well I wish to let everyone know before I quit this game.