He came up with the remarks while talking to reporters at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport upon their return after playing the ICC World Cup 2019 in England and Wales.
Bangladesh won three of their nine matches in the ICC World Cup with one match against Sri Lanka being washed out due to rain.
They failed to post win against any big team except South Africa. At the same time, they suffered a heartbreaking and embarrassing defeat against Pakistan in the last encounter.
Bangladesh ended the World Cup at number eight in the 10-team global event. They were better than just West Indies and Afghanistan who ended on the 9th and 10th position respectively.
“We failed to fulfill the expectations in the World Cup. We’re disappointed (at the end). The whole team are disappointed. Had we got the favour of luck, we would have been in a better place at the end and would have qualified for the semifinals. Overall, the way we played in the World Cup was positive,” Mashrafe told the media.
“Till the match against India, we had a chance to qualify for the semifinals. Apart from Shakib (Al Hasan) and Mushfiqur (Rahim), no one was consistent in the event. The luck was not in our favour as well,” he further said.
However, Bangladesh started their World Cup campaign with a win against South Africa that was a huge boost at the start of the event. But, Mashrafe-led Bangladesh failed to capitalise on it as they lost five of their next seven matches with the match against Sri Lanka being washed out.
“As the captain of the team, I failed to bring the team on the height where we wanted to climb. So, I’m taking the responsibility,” the Bangladesh captain said.
About the criticism of the Tigers, he said it happens all over the world in any tournament. “So, it’s normal. We have to accept it,” he added.
Mashrafe was reluctant to blame the young players of the team, saying: “We always blame the young players which is not right. Those who are seniors now were young once, and during their early days, they were not consistent as they are now. How the young guys played in the World Cup was impressive. We were not able to do so when we were young. They tried their best. I think once they get more experienced, they’ll perform like Shakib and Mushfiqur,” Mashrafe said.
The Bangladesh skipper hailed the way Shakib, Mushfiqur, Mohammad Saifuddin and Mustafizur Rahman performed in the World Cup. Shakib scored 606 runs with seven 50-plus scores alongside taking 11 wickets.
It was the greatest all-round perform in a World Cup. Mushfiqur batted well while Saifuddin and Mustafizur were imperious with the ball. Saifuddin ended taking 13 wickets while Mustafizur bagged 20 with a back-to-back five-for.
“Shakib played outstanding cricket in the World Cup. Along with him, Mushfiqur, Mustafiz and Saifuddin did well also. To me, they were extraordinary in the World Cup,” Mashrafe concluded.