Though Mashrafe Bin Mortaza has undergone a total of seven surgeries on both his legs, the Tigers' ODI captain overcame those obstacles to return stronger than ever. However the person Mashrafe gives credit to for his long career is Doctor David Young, who was a true friend of Bangladesh cricket when it mattered.

Young, who reached Bangladesh on February 1 to attend a three-day workshop arranged by the Bangladesh Orthopaedic Society, visited Mirpur yesterday and shared his knowledge on the injury rehabilitation programme of the Bangladesh Cricket Board while he also had a discussion with Mashrafe and a few other cricketers.

“Six of my big surgeries were performed by him [Young] and the almighty is there but I can say that he is the reason why I am still able to play cricket. Young knows everything [about my case] and he has given all the instructions on rehabilitation after the surgeries. Not only me, he has done surgeries on half of the injured cricketers of our team. I can say that he is an invisible and a true friend of Bangladesh cricket,” Mashrafe told reporters in Mirpur yesterday.

The Bangladesh skipper also informed that he has not faced any difficulties since his last surgery in 2011 but a humble Young attributed the success of the surgery to Mashrafe's determination rather than his own skill.

“Mashrafe is a professional athlete who is determined to this game and also to his country. I have very less contribution in his career and the way he has done the rehabilitation programme since the surgery I am amazed to see,” said Young.

Asked whether Mahsrafe is fit enough to play Test cricket, Young replied: “He is always a leader and he will always have a place in the Test squad. I suspect yes is my answer.”