Mashrafe Mortaza considering T20I retirement

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza may very well play his last T20I game against New Zealand. The 32-year-old fast bowler has said that he is considering retirement from the shortest format of the game.

Mortaza made his international debut for Bangladesh in 2001 with his first Test and ODI debuts coming against Zimbabwe. His T20I debut came in 2006 against Zimbabwe and since then, he has played 36 Tests, 160 ODIs and 48 T20I matches so far.

Mortaza was seen as a precious talent, who bowled at a serious pace when he first burst onto the international scene. But injuries have taken a toll on the fast bowler’s body; especially the multiple knee operations have not only shortened his career but also have taken away the pace he was known for.

Currently, Bangladesh was eliminated from the World T20 after a last over defeat from the jaws of victory against India. Mashrafe said that he did not enjoy Twenty20 Internationals as much as One-Day Internationals (ODI), had been thinking about signing out of the shortest format after the showcase event.

According to the international calendar, Bangladesh does not have any more T20Is this year and their next T20I games are against New Zealand in January 2017. The World T20 will become a quadrennial event, with the next edition taking place in 2020 in Australia. From 2007 till now, with the exception of 2010, the World T20 has been taking place every two years.

Mashrafe Mortaza said that, ”I will think about (retirement) when I get home. We have an important match. That has my full attention for now. There will be a lot of time back home to consider whether I will play T20 after this or not.”

The 32-year old has said that he doesn’t fancy himself playing the next World T20 edition in 2020 in Australia.

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