Bangladesh pacer Mashrafee bin Murtaza on Thursday announced to step down as one-day international captain of the national team, ending the speculation about his future.
The third one-day international against Zimbabwe on Friday in Sylhet will be his final ODI as captain, Mashrafe announced at a press conference in Sylhet.
Mashrafee, however, added that he would remain available for selection as player.
‘Tomorrow [Friday] is my last match as captain. I would like to thank Bangladesh Cricket Board for keeping confidence in me for such a long period,’ said Mashrafee said.
‘I will try to give my best as player if I get opportunity,’ he said.
Mashrafee said he decided to resign as captain to help the BCB rebuild the team ahead of World Cup 2023 and urged the Board to stay firm on its planning.
‘I think this is the right time for someone new to take over, so that he can organise the team from now. And I hope the decision that was taken [rebuilding the team for 2023] it is strictly followed,’ he said.
The 36-year player, who led Bangladesh 49 ODIs in 87 matches so far, said he is leaving the captaincy with no regret.
‘My career would have finished a lot earlier, so whatever I achieved I am grateful to Allah for that,’ he said
‘To be honest, until yesterday I was in indecision, in the morning I thought it’s enough.’
Mashrafee did not represent Bangladesh in any ODI since the ICC World Cup last year until the ongoing series, when he claimed three wickets in the first two matches,
Bangladesh won both the matches to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
– newage
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