Mashrafe Mortaza, Bangladesh’s limited-overs skipper, announced his retirement from Twenty20 Internationals on Tuesday (April 4). He will bow out from the format after the second T20I against Sri Lanka, set to be played at the R Premadasa Stadium on Thursday.
“This T20 series is going to be the last of my career,” Mortaza said at the toss during the first T20I. “I would like to thank the BCB, my family, friends, teammates, coaching staff and all the fans who have been supporting and praying for me for the last 15-16 years.”
So far, the 33-year old pacer has played 52 T20Is and picked 39 wickets at an average of 37.56, conceding 8.05 runs an over. He has also scored some handy runs with the bat lower down the order for his side, evidenced by his 23 sixes in the format.
Mortaza was a part of Bangladesh’s first T20I match in November 2006, against Zimbabwe, in which he top-scored with 36 and led his side to a 43-run win. Over the years, a chronic knee injury reduced Mortaza’s efficacy with the ball but he continued to remain an integral part of the side that showed a drastic rise under his captaincy.
He has led Bangladesh in 26 matches and won nine. He enjoyed a good run at the start of 2016, winning seven of the first 12 matches and losing only four. However, things haven’t been merry thereafter, with Bangladesh having lost their last seven T20I games under their popular captain.
. He will bow out from the format after the second T20I against Sri Lanka, set to be played at the R Premadasa Stadium on Thursday.){kind=link}