DHAKA // The former Bangladesh captain and wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud has announced his retirement from international cricket today, after being ignored for next month's home series against New Zealand. "I was hoping to retire from the field and thus waited for long to get a recall. But when I missed this series as well, I felt there was no future for me," Mashud said. The 32-year-old, who played 126 one-day internationals and 44 Tests, last represented Bangladesh in June 2007 in a Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
He was hoping for a recall after 13 Bangladeshi players joined the unofficial Indian Cricket League (ICL) this month and were banned for 10 years. However, he was not included in a list of 24 hopefuls named last week. "Like some other players, I too had an offer to play in the ICL, but I curbed the temptation of money to help my cause of returning into the national team," he said. Mashud, who captained Bangladesh in 12 Tests and 30 ODIs, said he would continue to play first-class cricket for his home division Rajshahi.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board officials are planning a grand farewell during the New Zealand series for Mashud, a member of the 1997 ICC Trophy winning squad that helped Bangladesh get Test status. New Zealand, who arrive in Bangladesh tomorrow, will play three one-dayers and two Tests. The first ODI will be played in Dhaka on Oct 9. *Reuters
