Bangladesh cricketer Mashrafe Mortaza delivers on HIV and AIDS

© UNICEF video

Bangladesh cricketer Mashrafe Mortaza supports Unite for Children. Unite against AIDS.

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 has teamed up with Unite for Children. Unite against AIDS. Here is one in a series of 10 profiles of well known cricketers who are supporting the campaign.

MASHRAFE MORTAZA is in the vanguard of a whole legion of young quick bowlers from Bangladesh. He has often been sidelined due to injury but it's to his credit that after each lay-off he comes back to cricket even better than before.

The kind of determination that Mortaza has shown in successfully returning from his many setbacks makes him an ideal advocate for the Unite for Children. Unite against Aids campaign.

For the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, the International Cricket Council, UNAIDS and UNICEF have teamed up to promote the Unite for Children. Unite against Aids campaign.

Mashrafe Mortaza’s message to children and young adults is direct and to the point:  "Eighty per cent of young people still don't know how to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS so I'm here to tell you how. A. Abstain, B. Be Faithful, C. Use Condoms.”

Key player

Mr Mortaza has been under the wing of the great West Indian fast bowler, Andy Roberts and his is a career that has featured highs such as his 4 for  60 against England in 2003-4 as well as lows including twisting his knee in the same series and missing out on a year of test cricket.

At the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in the West Indies, Mashrafe Mortaza will be a spearhead of the Bangladesh bowling attack but also a key player in the campaign to Unite for Children. Unite against Aids.

Written and produced by Mont Tombleson