Riyad explains why Mash’s retirement is his personal matter

There have been a lot of whispers regarding Mashrafe Bin Mortaza's future. The charismatic leader have often been asked about his retirement plans, especially after the 36-year-old pacer led the Tigers to an eighth place finish in the World Cup last summer.

Mashrafe, who has refused to be included in the latest central contract to allow a new player to get into central contract with the BCB, had however mentioned last Friday that he would be willing to play for the national side if he gets the nod from selectors. 

Mashrafe's Dhaka Platoon were ousted from the ongoing Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BBPL) after a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of Mahmudullah Riyad's Chattogram Challengers at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today. 

The topic regarding Mashrafe's retirement once again came up during the post match press conference and this time Mahmudullah explained why a cricketer usually takes time before announcing his retirement.  

"First of all, I think that this is totally Mashrafe bhai's decision. I talked once or twice with him regarding this but I can not say anything without his consent," said Mahmudullah before going on to explain his own view regarding the matter.

"When we started playing cricket, we played the game because we loved it. Now it has become my profession. But I never planned to be a [professional] cricketer from the beginning. I loved the game and that's why I played it and then I became a cricketer. As I did not start playing after consulting with someone, so I am not an advocate of quitting the game just because someone told me to. 

"When I will feel like that I can not continue playing further, then I will stop. Because this is my personal matter -- my game. And so I should be liable for this. I see this [retirement] in this way. I think Mashrafe bhai too thinks like this as he has been playing cricket for a long time." conclued Mahmudullah.