Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Nazmul Hasan proclaimed that the upcoming Zimbabwe series will be the last for Mashrafe Mortaza as the ODI captain. Meanwhile, the speculations of the retirement of the veteran were going on from the last year’s World Cup. However, there is no clearance over the fast bowler’s retirement.
Hasan also claimed that the team management will be more lenient over Musharfe’s fitness for the upcoming series. While Hasan also warned that the 36-year-old will have to work on his fitness to maintain his position in the team. Thus, after the home series against Zimbabwe, Mortaza’s place in the squad will depend upon his form and fitness.
“We have started to stress on beep tests, so Mashrafe may not pass the beep tests, so we can drop him if he doesn’t pass it,” Hassan said.
“We also have to keep it in mind that Mashrafe’s leadership was vital in the turnaround in Bangladesh cricket. But, the time has come for him to decide how long he wants to play.
“I think Mashrafe will play the ODI series against Zimbabwe, pending fitness. We will be lenient about his fitness. But very soon, we have to decide on the team and captain for the next World Cup. We don’t have much time. We will make our decision after this ODI series.”
Bangladesh’s new ODI captain will be selected within one month:
Hasan also informed that the new skipper for the ODI team will be decided after the series against Zimbabwe which will start from 1st March. It becomes pertinent here that Bangladesh board had set focus on the 2020 World Cup.
“When I spoke to him during the World Cup, we discussed that if we can arrange a home ODI, he will retire. After returning, he changed his mind. And then he also said that he doesn’t want a send-off. He never told me. I saw it in the media. We have taken a month or a month-and-a-half to decide our next ODI captain.”
As far as Mortaza’s retirement is concerned, Hasan added that it depends on the veteran when to call it a day.
Earlier this year in January, Mortaza had said that he will keep playing as long as he is enjoying the game.