Mamunul 'retiring from national team'

Bangladesh national football team’s captain Mamunul Islam has decided to retire from national duties on Monday after having been dropped from the squad for the Asian Cup Qualifying Playoff fixture against Bhutan. 

The 28-year-old midfielder, who missed the Maldives friendly last week due to a calf injury where Bangladesh lost 5-0 in Male, confirmed his decision to The Daily Star in the morning.

“I have not been included in the squad for the Bhutan fixture. I don’t know why coach took the decision and he didn’t even let me know about his decision. I felt insulted, hence I decided to retire from the national team,” the Chittagong Abahani skipper said. “I don’t think there is any chance of me returning to the national team in future.” 

It has however been learnt that a number of other senior players were looking to follow Mamunul footsteps after having learnt of a similar fate. The 23-member squad for the Bhutan match will be revealed later today. Bangladesh will take on Bhutan in the first leg of the two-legged fixture on Tuesday at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.