|| CF Correspondent ||

Bangladesh T20 skipper Mahmudullah said that everyone should give Mashrafee bin Mortaza some space to think about his future.

Even before going to England for the World Cup, Mortaza's retirement post the campaign was anticipated. The expectation grew manifold following his below-par returns in the tournament - where he picked up just one wicket in eight matches. Once he decided not to retire, he was expected to feature for one last time when Bangladesh toured Sri Lanka for an ODI series - and perhaps bow out at the end of it - but a last-minute injury kept him on the sidelines.

‘’We play cricket because we love cricket and enjoy cricket as well and though this is my profession now honest speaking I have not thought at the beginning I will be a cricketer,’’ Mahmudullah told reporters at the post match press conference when his attention was drawn regarding all the speculation that is going around about Mashrafee’s retirement.

I loved cricket and played cricket along with my studies and not it turned into my profession. I have not started playing cricket by asking anybody and will not leave cricket with everybody opinion. If I think I can't play cricket any more I will not play and as this is my personal matter and I should take the liability as well. I see it that way,’’ he said.

I think he has played cricket for a long time and I think I should take my hats off because he played today with 14 stitches as that is outstanding effort.

‘’If I was in his position I could not think of playing bit not only he played but bowled well and took a good catch. The ball was spinning a lot and Gayle wicket was important,’’ he said.

 ‘’I think Mashrafe can say better about his retirement but I think this is totally Mashrafe bhai decision and I have talked with him a couple of times regarding this matter,’’ he said.