Popularly known as the 'Narail Express', Mortaza's career has been beset by injuries. The first real quick bowler to come out of Bangladesh, he was earmarked for great things since the time he made his test debut against Zimbabwe in 2001-02. Stockily built, he could generate uncomfortable bounce with his strong action.

He impressed Andy Roberts who was then coaching Bangladesh and was drafted into the Test side - in what was his debut first-class game as well - he was the 31st person to have achieved this, and the third since 1899. After his Test debut, injuries started wreaking havoc and he found himself making one comeback after the other. Injuries to his back and knee forced him to miss most of the action, but came back and broke Aftab Ahmed's national record, en-route to taking 6/26 against Kenya in an ODI.