Election campaign won't distract me during West Indies ODIs: Mashrafe Mortaza

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza, who is all set to contest the 11th parliamentary election of the country, has assured that the election campaign would not be a source of distraction for him during their upcoming three-match ODI series against West Indies beginning December 9.

Talking about his decision to join the politics, the 35-year-old said that after the end of his playing career, he is seeing a wonderful opportunity to serve the people of Bangladesh.

"My mindset is completely focused on training and the ODI series that's coming up. I will only concentrate on that [the election campaign] after December 14," ESPNcricinfo quoted Mortaza, as saying.

"If I play till the World Cup, I have about seven or eight months remaining in my playing career. I don't know what I am going to do in the following four-and-a-half years. The Prime Minister has given me an opportunity to serve the people," he added.

When asked about his retirement plans, Mortaza revealed that his personal goal is to play the 2019 World Cup adding that he might review his decision if he felt "completely different" after the prestigious tournament.

"My mindset was made up for the World Cup. At one point I didn't know if I could go further than the Champions Trophy [last year], but fitness kept me going. I will review my decision if I feel differently after the World Cup," he said.

"My personal goal was to play till the World Cup, which is eight months away. During this time I will be playing within my plan. Whether I will review my decision [to quit after the World Cup] or not, time will tell," he added.

Mortaza has played a total of 36 Tests scalping 78 wickets with an economy rate of 3.24. In ODI's he has picked up 252 wickets in 199 matches with an economy rate of 4.82.

-ANI