ICC World Cup 2019 | Don't want to think about retirement as we are still very much in the tournament, says Mortaza

06/28/2019

Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza has said that he has no plans of retiring after the 2019 Cricket World Cup, and that he wants to continue playing further. Mortaza however admitted that the ongoing Cricket World Cup will be the last time he will represent Bangladesh in a World Cup.

With 215 ODIs and 36 Tests under his belt, Mashrafe Mortaza has arguably been the key member in the past two decades in the developement of Bangladesh Cricket. Despite playing with niggles and injuries, the 36-year-old has ensured that he has led his team from the front in the ongoing World Cup. Mortaza has now come forward and said that he has no plans of retirement, and that he plans to continue playing.

"I don't want to quit (international cricket) immediately because I want to play more," said Mortaza in a recent interview, as reported by Cricbuzz. Mortaza also said that he has not receieved any intimation from the BCB regarding his retirment. "It is a different matter if BCB thinks otherwise but the board has not instructed me anything as such (regarding my retirement)," he added.

However, Mortaza has admitted that the ongoing World Cup will be his last one, and so he has invited his family members to watch him play. "I have already announced that it will be my last World Cup so I wanted them [my family members] to come and watch me playing for the last time in the showcase event," Mortaza said.

Mortaza also added that he does not want retirement talks to be a potential distraction as all he is focused about right now is to win the remaining games, with Bangladesh fighting for a spot in the semi-finals. "Thinking about any such thing (retirement) will certainly distract me so I don't want to think about it at the moment as we are still very much in the tournament.'' Mortaza concluded.

Bangladesh will next face India at Edbaston on July 2nd, which will be a do-or-die game for the Tigers.