Mashrafe Morataza announces retirement from T20 cricket during toss

New Delhi: In a never seen before scenario, Bangladesh limited overs skipper Mashrafe Mortaza announced his retirement from the shortest format of the game during the toss of the first T20I between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Colombo.

Mashrafe said that the second and final T20I against Sri Lanka will be his last one.

"This T20 series is going to be the last of my career," Mortaza said during the toss.

The Bangladesh captain who led them to the World Cup 2105 quarterfinals also expressed his gratitude to the Bangladesh Cricket Board

"I would like to thank the BCB, my family, friends, teammates, coaching staff and all the fans who have been supporting and praying for me for the last 15-16 years."

No Mash, not now :(https://t.co/9v7YYvrcBA https://t.co/p4pXuXZi9q

— Syed Romit Rahman (@Romit_Rahman) April 4, 2017

  

The seamer known for his never-say-die attitude has played 52 T20Is for Bangladesh picking up 39 wickets at an economy rate of 8.05 runs per over.

In a career marred with injuries, Mashrafe took Bangladesh cricket to new heights in recent years. It was under his captaincy that Bangladesh managed to draw the recently concluded ODI series against Sri Lanka.