Bangladesh’s seasoned all-rounder, Mahmudullah, known for his pivotal role in shaping the Bangla Tigers’ cricket landscape, has announced his retirement from Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) following the conclusion of the ongoing series against India. This marks the end of an illustrious chapter in the fast-paced format for the player who embarked on his T20I journey back in 2007.
Mahmudullah, who has been a stalwart presence in the Bangladesh cricket team, confirmed that the T20I matches against India would be his last foray in this particular format. The Gwalior’s Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium on October 6 witnessed Mahmudullah take the field for what would be one of his final appearances in T20 attire. Unfortunately, the outing was brief as he added only a single run to the scoreboard before being dismissed by India’s debutant, Mayank Yadav.
At 38 years old, Mahmudullah has decided to retire from T20I cricket, but he has assured his fans and teammates that he will continue to contribute to the One Day International (ODI) format. In a heartfelt announcement, Mahmudullah stated, “I am retiring from T20I cricket after the last game of this series. I made up my mind before coming here. After discussions with my family, coach Chandika Hathurusingha, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain, and board president Faruque Ahmed, I believe this is the right moment to step away from this format, both for me and for the team. With the World Cup less than two years away, my focus will solely be on the one-day game.”
Mahmudullah took a step back from Test cricket in 2021, focusing his efforts on the white-ball formats. Although he was sidelined from the T20I squad towards the end of 2022 and did not participate in any T20I games in 2023, Mahmudullah made a significant comeback to the format in 2024 with a striking innings that saw him scoring a notable 54 runs against Sri Lanka in Sylhet.
Reflecting on his contribution to the T20 format, Mahmudullah reminisced about the evolution of his playing style.
. “In 2016, during the T20 World Cup in India, I underwent a crucial transformation in my approach to batting. We had a training camp in Khulna where I altered my batting style to suit the team’s needs better. Given my position at No. 6 or 7, I assumed the role of the team’s finisher—a challenging task, often scrutinized for the games one couldn’t close rather than the ones won,” Mahmudullah explained, candidly sharing the nuances of adapting to demands as a player.
Over his remarkable 17-year-long career in T20Is, Mahmudullah has earned commendable statistics, featuring in 139 matches, amassing 2395 runs, and taking 40 wickets. These accomplishments firmly place him as the second-highest run-scorer for Bangladesh in T20Is, surpassed only by the legendary Shakib Al Hasan.
Mahmudullah’s retirement from T20Is is not just the close of a personal chapter but also a moment that resonates with cricket enthusiasts in Bangladesh and across the globe. His presence on the field, exemplary leadership qualities, and the ability to perform in high-pressure scenarios have made him a cherished figure in the cricketing community. As the current series against India concludes, fans and teammates alike reflect on his stellar contributions and look forward to his continued impact in ODI cricket.
With this decision, Mahmudullah aims to devote his full attention to Bangladesh’s ODI prospects, especially with the World Cup looming in the near future. His experience and dedication in the ODI realm are expected to propel the team toward new milestones and successes. His retirement from T20Is brings a bittersweet moment of nostalgia wrapped with hope for more significant achievements in the years to come.
As the curtains fall on Mahmudullah’s T20I career, the legacy he leaves behind is one of perseverance, strategic re-adaptation, and an unwavering commitment to the sport, charting a course for future Bangladeshi cricketers to follow.
