Mahmudullah Announces Retirement from T20 Internationals

Veteran Bangladesh all-rounder Mahmudullah has announced his retirement from Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), with the ongoing bilateral series against India marking the conclusion of his career in this format. The 38-year-old cricketer made the announcement at a press conference on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, on the eve of the second match in Delhi.

Mahmudullah shared with the media that the decision was made prior to the series, in consultation with his family, the team’s coach, captain, chief selector, and the president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board. He said, “I think it is the right time to move on from this format for me and the team, especially with the World Cup coming up in less than two years. I will concentrate on the one-day game.”

The final T20I match of the series, slated for October 12, 2024, in Hyderabad, will be Mahmudullah’s last international appearance in the format. Over his career, he has played 139 T20Is, with two more matches potentially placing him level with Ireland’s George Dockrell at 141 appearances.

Mahmudullah, who debuted in international cricket in 2007, has also contributed significantly to Bangladesh’s cricket across other formats, with 50 Test matches and 232 One Day Internationals to his name. He retired from Test cricket in 2021.

Known for his role as a finisher, Mahmudullah revisited how his approach to batting transformed around 2016. “Back in 2016, there was a T20 World Cup in India. Before that, we had a training camp in Khulna where I changed my batting approach,” he explained. His strategic shift came when he was tasked with batting in the lower order, a position that demanded aggressiveness and resilience.

Over the years, Mahmudullah has been a pivotal figure in Bangladesh’s T20I squad, and despite the absence of major trophies, he sees progress in the team’s journey. Referring to the collective growth, he stated, “Every player, coach, and team management involved have all contributed to this change in Bangladesh cricket.”

Mahmudullah also highlighted that Bangladesh possesses promising players capable of filling his role. “Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Afif Hossain, and Yasir Ali can be good choices at No. 6 or 7,” he suggested, emphasizing the importance of boldness and coach support in these positions.

Throughout his T20I career, Mahmudullah’s ability to anchor and direct tense situations, such as his memorable unbeaten innings against Sri Lanka during the Nidahas Trophy that involved a controversial decision, will remain celebrated among cricket enthusiasts.