Retired Mashrafe thanks fans

Mashrafe told the media during the post-match press conference at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Thursday, “I am honored to leave on a winning note. I have played T20Is for Bangladesh for 10 years. I was a bit nervous, may be because it was my last T20I. But I tried to control my emotions. “I want to thank our supporters. I personally believe my career has prolonged due to the fans. They always supported me and prayed for me. That’s why I could not quit cricket after so many injuries. So, thanks to my supporters. I hope the supporters will always support Bangladesh this way. I am still playing ODIs. So, pray for me so that I can perform better and Bangladesh can win more matches in future. “There were obviously lots of emotions as I have played 10 years in this jersey. I have played a lot of games with the players. I have lots of memories with them. I am happy that the end was decorated with a win. It will be a great memory for me in that Bangladesh won in my last game. “We have a very good team. Tamim [Iqbal], Shakib [al Hasan], [Mahmudullah] Riyad and Mushfiqur [Rahim] are experienced and great cricketers. I have high hopes for Bangladesh in T20Is. We have to maintain our performance in T20Is. We have some exciting cricketers in our side as well. We are performing in Tests and ODIs as well. I hope Bangladesh will improve more in future,” he added. Mashrafe ended his T20I career with 42 wickets and 377 runs in 54 matches. Meanwhile, player of the match Shakib al Hasan praised Mashrafe and lebeled him an icon. He also said he is not thinking too much regarding T20I captaincy. “I am not really thinking about it now. The important thing is to contribute for the team, and try to do well,” said Shakib. “Mashrafe bhai is a special figure in the dressing room. Naturally everyone will miss him. We need support on and off the field, and there’s no one more helpful than him. Nobody can play forever, so I wish him all the very best in life. I would want him to continue in the ODI team for a long time, and take Bangladesh cricket forward. “It was important to send off Mashrafe bhai with a win, but what was more important was to represent Bangladesh. I think what you saw out there was an expression of that pride,” he added.