Mahmudullah Riyad, one of Bangladesh’s most experienced cricketers, has officially announced his retirement from international T20 cricket. During a pre-match press conference ahead of Bangladesh’s second T20I against India, Mahmudullah confirmed his decision, bringing an end to his 17-year-long T20 career.
Speaking at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, the 39-year-old revealed that the ongoing series against India will be his last. Mahmudullah, who debuted in T20Is against Kenya, will play his final match in the format in the third T20I of the series in Hyderabad. He holds the record for the most T20 matches played by a Bangladeshi cricketer, having appeared in 139 matches, scoring 2,395 runs at a strike rate of 117.74.
From 2018 to 2022, Mahmudullah led Bangladesh in 43 T20I matches, including the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup. Under his captaincy, Bangladesh secured 16 wins, a record he shares with Shakib Al Hasan.
While he retired from Test cricket in 2021, Mahmudullah will continue to represent Bangladesh in the ODI format. Reflecting on his decision, he shared, “I discussed my retirement with my family and the board. Although it was a difficult decision, I believe now is the right time to step away from T20Is.”
Mahmudullah’s final T20I appearance will be an emotional moment, not only for him but also for his fans and teammates, as he closes this chapter of his illustrious career.