Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza has asked for two months’ time from the Bangladesh Cricket Board to decide his retirement from international cricket.
Saturday afternoon, the right-arm veteran pacer had a meeting with BCB president Nazmul Hasan and other high-ups after the board expressed interest to arrange a send-off next month.
The BCB had the intention of arranging a lone ODI with Zimbabwe to mark the end of Mashrafe’s illustrious international career.
It is understood that Mashrafe, during the meeting, was informed of BCB’s plan of arranging the game.
The Bangladesh skipper however, was taken by surprise when he came to know about the board’s intention, given that his consent over the subject was never taken.
The @BCBtigers Cricket Board is mulling a grand farewell for one-day international captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza through a one-off ODI against @ZimCricketv in Dhaka next month.https://t.co/JLWiUFWRCG#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #BANGLADESH #CRICKET #BANGLADESHCRICKET #MASHRAFE #MASH
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) August 14, 2019
However, as it has been over the past few months, the 35-year old Mashrafe has not taken a decision yet, despite strong discussion in the cricket fraternity over his retirement.
Mashrafe plays only one format, ODIs, for Bangladesh.
“We asked him [Mashrafe] if we should arrange a game with Zimbabwe. But he feels that there is no reason to hurry on his decision over retirement, considering that we do not have any ODIs before May next year. So the two months time helps him. He can then come to a decision and we have agreed to it,” said BCB boss Nazmul to reporters at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka Saturday.
Bearing in mind that the discussion regarding Mashrafe’s retirement has been strong, and that the cricketer himself has been thinking over it, the BCB will make an effort to arrange the ODI with Zimbabwe.
Schedule was however, a challenge, as Bangladesh till May next year had no ODI in the Future Tours Program.
The @BCBtigers Saturday named former South African coach Russell Domingo as the new head coach of the Bangladesh men’s cricket team.https://t.co/U3mfyS4ZWw#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #BANGLADESH #CRICKET #BANGLADESHCRICKET #RUSSELL #DOMINGO #RUSSELLDOMINGO #SOUTHAFRICA #CSA
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) August 17, 2019
Discussion over Mashrafe’s retirement had first emerged when Bangladesh played their third ODI of the home series against the West Indies in Sylhet.
Back then, it was said the game will be the right-arm pacer’s last at home, though Mashrafe had never confirmed it.
During the World Cup 2019 in England and Wales in May-July, discussion was high as to whether the veteran would hang up his boots following the event, more so because both his and the team’s performance was way below par.
It was then said Mashrafe was looking to play a game at home before bowing out for the final time.