Bangladesh all-rounder Mashrafe Mortaza announced his retirement from Twenty20 Internationals – where he captains his side – on Tuesday ahead of the Tigers’ first match against Sri Lanka at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium.
“This is going to be my last T20 series for Bangladesh,” Mortaza said at the toss. “I would like to thank BCB, my family and friends, team-mates and coaching staff. I would also like to thank my fans who really supported me in the last 15-16 years,” he added.
Mortaza has led Bangladesh in the most number of T20Is, having led his side to nine wins from 26 matches. He has played 52 games before Tuesday’s match, having taken 39 wickets at a modest average of 37.56. He had taken one four-wicket haul in the format, against Ireland in Belfast in 2012, and is widely seen as one of the brains behind Bangladesh’s rise in the cricketing ladder over the last three years.
Mortaza will play his final T20I match against the Lankans on April 6 at Colombo.