I'm now completely focused on my game, says Mashrafe

A month ago, it appeared like Bangladesh one-day cricket captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza was already preparing for life beyond cricket as he announced his decision to enter politics this month.

Ahead of the limited-over series against West Indies, however, Mortaza has rubbished any such suspicion regarding his immediate future by announcing that he intends to stay on until the 2019 World Cup, to be played next June, report agencies.

Mortaza has already walked away from T20 format in April 2017, and has now hinted at calling time on his Test career as well in order to extend his time in the 50-over format. Mortaza, it must be said, hasn't featured in whites since July 2009.

"My mind set-up is to the World Cup (for continuing to play). So, I can review my decision after the World Cup whether I continue to play or not. If I can't maintain my fitness to play at the highest level of the game, I'll quit. Anything can happen at any time," Masrhafe said.

"The upcoming series is like any other cricket competition to me. I don't care much about the so-called last or the first series."

Bangladesh one-day captain talking for the first time to media after joining politics said on Tuesday he is focused on his game instead of paying all attention to politics.

He has got nomination to contest the December 30 national elections from the ruling Bangladesh Awami League. Before the election he, however, will play the three-match one-day series against the visiting West Indies.

"I'm completely focused on my game and my practice. I'll concentrate on politics after December 14," Mashrafe said.

Right after this series, the Tigers will be engaged in their World Cup preparation that mostly will take place abroad.

As regards to the competition in the upcoming series against the Windies, Masrhafe further said, "West Indies is a better team in limited-overs cricket. I'm expecting a great series. The team is in a better state of mind after winning the Test series. It'll be fabulous if we can translate Test performance into one-day as well."