Mohammad Sharif retires from all forms of cricket

Bangladesh's veteran seam bowling all-rounder Mohammad Sharif has decided to retire from all forms of cricket after an illustrious 20-year career. He confirmed his retirement to The Business Standard (TBS). 

Sharif though wants to end his cricketing career with another match in the Premier League after the coronavirus pandemic comes to a close and the situation returns to normal. 

"I have decided to retire from all forms of cricket. Many have asked me to retire from the field after such a long career. If the situation returns to normal, I will bid cricket goodbye by playing a match in the Premier League. But I have retired from the game," Sharif said. 

He added that his retirement was not pre-planned or something. He said, "I took this decision all of a sudden, did not take it after giving it a deep thought. I do not think the league will be played this year and also, I have a shoulder injury. So, I will not be able to play for around a year. So I took this decision considering all of that."

The 34-year old veteran also added that maybe this was not the right time to announce his retirement. Sharif said, "Maybe I could have announced this when the situation returned to normal, from the field. Actually it slipped off my tongue while talking."

Sharif wants to stay connected with Bangladesh cricket as a coach or a selector after his playing days are gone. He said, "If the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) wants me to join any team as a coach or a selector, then I should let it know that I am available. If I do not play anymore, then saying it as early as possible is better."

Sharif had played 10 Tests and nine One-day Internationals (ODI) for Bangladesh. Despite getting his Test cap at a tender age of 15 years and 118 days, Sharif could not prolong his international career due to various injuries and saw his progress in the international arena come to a halt in 2007. He has picked up 14 and 10 wickets in Tests and ODIs respectively. 

Although he failed to make his mark in the international arena, Sharif was a prominent performer in the domestic arena. He has played 132 first-class matches in his 20-year career, picking up 393 wickets. It is to Sharif's sorrow that he did not reach 400 wickets as he only needed seven to reach the milestone. 

"I have had a lot of things in my career. It would have felt good if I had picked up these seven wickets. I will regret this," regret was apparent in Sharif's voice. 

Also, he was no mug with the bat as he scored 3,222 runs in the first-class arena with a hundred and 10 fifties. He also played 119 List A matches where he picked up 185 wickets.