‘It was not the toughest decision’

Bangladesh’s limited-over skipper Mashrafee bin Murtaza said his decision of retiring from Twenty20 internationals was not the toughest one in his life but it was a career defining moment for him.
‘I cannot say whether it was the toughest decision of my life or not, but no doubt it was the decision of my cricketing career,’ Mashrafee told reporters at a post match conference at Colombo on Tuesday.
‘Certainly it was not the toughest decision and it is too personal to reveal [which was the toughest one in his life].
‘It is always tough to hang up your boots,’ said Mashrafee.
Mashrafee, who is regarded as one of the finest captains the country has ever produced, suddenly announced his retirement just before the first T20I of the two-match series against Sri Lanka at Colombo on Tuesday.
Mashrafee said that he was prompted to take the decision as some inform players had to be omitted from the squad due to him, referring to pace bowler Rubel Hossain in particular.
Mashrafee had taken just one wicket in Bangladesh’s previous T20I series against New Zealand, while Rubel took seven wickets but still failed to make the cut for the Sri Lanka series.
‘When I look behind me, someone like Rubel is missing out. He should have been in the first XI, but he is missing out because of me,’ said Mashrafee.
‘Since he [Rubel] is performing better than me, he should be in the team. I still feel this team is the best place for our youngsters to grow for a bigger stage like Tests and ODIs.’
Mashrafee said that he was never comfortable with the format and that eventually forced him to take the decision what kept him awake the whole night.
‘I never enjoyed that format when T20 started. I played five World Cups but I never enjoyed it,’ said Mashrafee.
‘Maybe that is because of my injuries. This format is quick and sharp so you don’t get enough chances to warm up your body, especially my legs which hurt a lot.
‘I still kept going because cricket board [Bangladesh Cricket Board] was respecting me as a captain. I was trying really hard to build this team as much as I can. I don’t know how much I did but it was a real pleasure to captain in T20s.’
Mashrafee added that though he quitted from Twenty20 internationals he was yet to give any thoughts about one-day internationals.
Mashrafee is not considered for Test cricket
since 2009 when he injured himself during the West Indies tour and from then on he never recovered enough for longer version games.
‘I am not thinking about [quitting ODIs] at this moment,’ Mashrafee added.
‘I don’t plan out many things, but [retiring from the T20I team] was a tough decision. A lot of people are involved in such a decision, like my family, friends, team-mates and the media. I thought it would be the same if I took the decision today or two days later,’ he said.

-newage