Mashrafe seeks 2 months to think about his ODI career

Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza has sought two months from Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to think about the future of his ODI career.

BCB President Nazmul Hasan on Saturday said Mashrafe asked for two more months to decide the future of his ODI career while talking to the board today.

“Mashrafe came to the board for two reasons. We talked to him about appointing a new coach and then we talked about hosting a one-off ODI against Zimbabwe (featuring his retirement),” Nazmul said the media.

“But, he (Mashrafe) thinks it’s too early (to think for retirement). We don’t have any ODI before the next March. So, he wants two more months to think about his future plan. Now, he’s thinking on it and we agreed with him,” the BCB boss further said.

It was believed that the BCB tried to host a one-off ODI against Zimbabwe to set a platform for Mashrafe to wave his hands for the final time to the fans. But due to the reluctant demeanour of Mashrafe, the BCB has to cancel that plan.

Mashrafe had hinted before the World Cup that he would call his final time after the mega event. But during the World Cup, he said he would continue playing for Bangladesh and refused to say anything about his retirement.

The 36-year-old pacer retired from T20Is during Bangladesh’s Sri Lanka tour in 2017. Since then, it has been one of the big questions around cricketing fraternity when Mashrafe will say bye to ODIs.