Mahmudullah will retire from T20Is following the series against India

In a significant announcement, Mahmudullah confirmed that he will retire from T20 International cricket at the conclusion of Bangladesh’s ongoing bilateral series in India. The veteran cricketer, who is 38 years old, made this statement during a press conference held on the eve of the second T20I in Delhi, emphasizing that he had been contemplating this decision for some time.

“I am retiring from T20I cricket after the last game of this series. I had pre-decided before coming here,” Mahmudullah stated. He explained that he had discussed his decision with family members, as well as the team’s coach Chandika Hathurusinghe, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain, and board president Faruque Ahmed. He believes this is the right moment to step away from T20Is, especially with the ICC World Cup just around the corner. “I will concentrate on the one-day game,” he added.

Mahmudullah’s decision comes after a storied career in T20 cricket, which included his retirement from Test cricket during a match against Zimbabwe three years ago. His journey in white-ball cricket faced some hurdles when he was dropped from the T20I squad for two years, missing 27 matches between 2022 and 2023. However, he made a notable return earlier this year with a commendable 54 against Sri Lanka, although his performance at the T20 World Cup was less impactful. He started the series against India on a disappointing note, falling for just one run in the first T20I.

As one of the most experienced players in the format, Mahmudullah retires as the joint third-most-capped T20I player in history, having played 139 matches. If he participates in the remaining games of the series, he will match George Dockrell’s record of 141 appearances. Additionally, he stands as Bangladesh’s second-highest run-scorer in T20Is, trailing only Shakib Al Hasan.

His T20I career is characterized by his evolution into a big-hitter, especially after 2016 when coach Hathurusinghe assigned him the role of finisher. Reflecting on this transformation, Mahmudullah shared, “Back in 2016, there was a T20 World Cup in India. Before that, we had a training camp in Khulna. I changed my batting approach from that camp.” His shift in strategy allowed him to adapt to the challenging role of a finisher, a position that often requires both skill and nerve.

One of his most memorable performances came in the Nidahas Trophy final in 2018, where he played a crucial role in leading Bangladesh to victory over Sri Lanka. His calm demeanor under pressure was highlighted during a tense chase, and his ability to secure a win on the penultimate ball was a career highlight for him.

Despite not winning a major trophy during his T20I tenure, Mahmudullah is proud of the progress made by Bangladesh cricket since his debut in 2007. “Definitely we didn’t win a major trophy, but I don’t agree that we don’t have any achievements,” he remarked. He noted that while trophies are often viewed as the ultimate measure of success, the evolution of the team and its standing in international cricket is a testament to their growth.

Looking ahead, Mahmudullah believes that several promising players are ready to take on the finisher’s role he is vacating. “Jaker Ali, Shamim [Hossain], Afif [Hossin], and Yasir Ali can be good choices at No. 6 or 7,” he mentioned. He acknowledged the challenges of batting in this position, which requires not only skill but also the backing of the coach and captain.

In conclusion, Mahmudullah’s retirement from T20Is marks the end of an era for the Bangladesh cricket team. As he prepares to focus on One Day Internationals, his contributions to the T20 format will be remembered by fans and players alike.