Rajin Saleh to retire from cricket after final NCL game

Former Bangladesh captain Rajin Saleh announced on Saturday that he will retire from all forms of cricket after the end of the ongoing National Cricket League, the country's traditional first-class competition, reports Cricbuzz.

The announcement was made on the opening day of the two-match Test series at Sylhet. Saleh, who is a representative from Sylhet, was called by the organisers as part of initiative to honour the cricketers hailing from this region.

The 34-year old, who represented Bangladesh in 24 Tests and 43 One-Day Internationals from 2003 to 2008, will play in the last round of the ongoing National Cricket League (NCL), scheduled to start from November 5.

"I would like to thank my Almighty first. Thanks to his blessings I could play cricket for 22 years. You know that I have played for Bangladesh for six years. I will play my last match on 5th of this month in an NCL game and after that I will retire,' an emotional Rajin told reporters at the press box of Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet.

"I would like to thank the media without whom I could not have become Rajin Saleh... You have made me Rajin Saleh and I am very much grateful to you all. My family was always with me along. I seek all of your prayers," he concluded.

Born on November 20, 1983, Rajin Saleh was considered one of the most talented prospects from Bangladesh. Pitch forked into the international scene at an early age of 19, Saleh was considered as one of the favorites of the then Bangladesh coach, Dav Whatmore.

He was the 12th man in Bangladesh's inaugural Test against India in 2000.