Mashrafe: Honour to captain Bangladesh in T20Is

Mashrafe told the media in the post-match press conference at R Premadasa Stadium on Tuesday, “It is always tough to hang up your jersey. But I thought that if I look behind me, someone like Rubel Hossain is missing. He should have been in the first XI, but he is missing out because of me. He got seven wickets in the last two T20 matches. It hurts me to see him not playing because of me. So it is an easy decision. And, I think this is the time to nurture our youngsters, those who can play T20Is. “I never enjoyed the format. I played five World Cups but I never enjoyed it, probably because of my injuries. This format is quick and sharp so you don’t get enough chances to warm up your body, especially my legs which hurt a lot. I still kept going because the cricket board (BCB) was respecting me as a captain. I was trying really hard to build this team as much as I could. I don’t know how much I did but it was a real pleasure to captain in T20Is, playing for Bangladesh and with some beautiful lads. It was really great,” he said. Mashrafe stated that he will be available for ODIs. “The only thought was that I would leave the format. Perhaps it was a sudden decision. But I didn’t think anything too big behind this. I didn’t think too much about it. I felt that I didn’t want to play T20Is. I am not thinking about [quitting ODIs] at this moment. I don’t plan many things, but this was a tough decision. A lot of people are involved in such a decision, like my family, friends, teammates and the media,” he said. “I still enjoy ODIs, but I never really enjoyed T20Is. But when the cricket board made me captain, I wanted to build this team. I don’t know how much I was able to. It is a huge honour to be the captain of Bangladesh’s T20I team. I don’t think I can ask for anything more. “When I decided [Monday] night, I knew that people would say my ending would be good if we win, or my ending would be bad if we lose. But I am still playing for Bangladesh, so if I win, Bangladesh win. Bangladesh are bigger than Mashrafe. “I informed my mother first, then my father, wife, close friends, my brother, uncle and some other people who are close to me like pitch curator Zahid Reza Babu bhai. If I am fit, I will keep playing ODIs and next time when I decide to retire, I will tell everyone and then leave,” he added.