‘Would have been better if Mushy said goodbye on the field’

Bangladesh great Abdur Razzak believes that it would have been better had Mushfiqur Rahim announced his retirement from T20Is during the Asia Cup instead of in the immediate aftermath.

The wicketkeeper-batsman, an automatic choice for most of his long career, announced his retirement from the shortest format on social media the day after Bangladesh exited the Asia Cup after falling at the first hurdle.

However, his stock had plummeted over the past year as he managed only 218 runs at an average of 16.76 and a strike rate of 92.37.

Speaking to media at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Razzak opined that retiring on the field by announcing the decision ahead of time should be the norm, and noted that it was a part of the culture of bigger teams around the world, even outside cricket.

"I think it is wonderful if you say goodbye on the field. Everyone who plays for the national team has accomplished something so obviously, they deserve to say goodbye on the field. It's their decision and Mushfiq made his. But if he had been contemplating retirement, it would not have been a bad idea to say so during the Asia Cup since he was thinking it," Razzak began.

"If he felt like saying it, it would be fine to say so during the tournament. It could have been the start of that culture. I have seen many big cricketers from other nations leave the field for the last time after giving thanks to the fans. It would be nice if we had that culture too."

Razzak also believed that there were a number of players who were willing to fight for the spot that had suddenly opened up.