Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza said he has not decided about his retirement and will concentrate on Bangladesh’s forthcoming series in Sri Lanka if he is picked in the side.
Bangladesh returned home after a disappointing World Cup mission, where they finished eighth among ten teams, and Mashrafe had a very poor tournament as a captain, as well as a bowler.
The most successful pacer and the iconic captain of Tigers who inspired the side to transform into a force to reckon with from being a perennial loser, got only one wicket in eight matches and his side’s body language was often very disappointing.
Over the last few years under Mashrafe’s captaincy, the Tigers gained a reputation of giving a fight till the end and clinched many matches through sheer fight. But in the greatest stage of World cricket, Tigers looked lackluster as they lacked sharpness in the field, a plethora of drop catches and leaking free runs thanks to a poor show of ground fielding.
"I thought that the Bangladesh team played very well and produced lots of very good cricket throughout this year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup." https://t.co/nut9k5bFup#ICCWorldCup2019 #BangladeshCricket #AbdurRazzak
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) July 7, 2019
The Tigers’ supporters, who were on a high with their team, received huge disappointment as their hopes were shattered and Mashrafe became the chief target of public wrath on social media and other platforms.
The rumours became rife that the 35-year old skipper, who also was elected as a member of parliament in the last national election, will retire at the World Cup or upon his return home.
But, on Sunday, at the arrival of the Bangladesh team, nothing such happened. It is understood that the captain has been convinced to bid an adieu from international cricket during a home series and if need be, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will make special arrangements.
Bangladesh’s next assignment is the tour of Sri Lanka later this month for a three-match ODI series and it is almost confirmed that Mashrafe is to lead the side. However, the Bangladesh captain said he is yet to decide on his availability for the series.
“I have not decided yet. I have just reached home. So I will take some time and think about it (on his availability for the series),” said Mashrafe upon his return with the team on Sunday.
@BCBtigers all-rounder @Sah75official, who enjoyed a memorable @cricketworldcup, said his ton against @englandcricket was the most special among all his knocks in the @ICC meet as the Tigers concluded their mission at 8th place in the 10-team standinghttps://t.co/J0Wx7i1q7H#BCB
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) July 7, 2019
The Bangladesh team is likely to rest a few of their regular ODI players for the series. Shakib, who has been tremendous for the team in the World Cup with 606 runs and 11 wickets under his belt, is likely to take a break having played continuous cricket. Alongside him, middle order batsman Mahmudullah is likely to be rested to recover from the Grade 1 tear on his right calf muscle along with the injured shoulder he has been carrying for some time now.
Wicket-keeper batsman Liton Das is also likely to be on leave during the series due to his nuptial ceremony. The Tigers are scheduled to get back to action on July 17 to prepare for the Sri Lanka tour.
