Mahmudullah has announced his retirement from Test cricket ahead of first Test against Pakistan on November 26. Earlier this year in July Mahmudullah had expressed his desire to give up the longest format during one-off Test against Zimbabwe.
“Leaving a format of which I have been a part of for such a long time is not easy. I had always thought of going on a high and I believe this is the right time to end my Test career,” the 35-year-old said in a statement.
“I thank my teammates and the support staff for always encouraging me and believing in my ability. It has been an absolute honour and privilege to play Test cricket for Bangladesh and I will cherish the many memories,” he added.
After retiring from the Test format, Mahmudullah has made it clear that he will continue to play in ODIs and T20Is.
The veteran Bangladesh batting all-rounder played his 50th Test in July against Zimbabwe. Mahmudullah has scored 2,914 runs in the format at an average of 33.49 including five centuries and 15 half-centuries. He will retire as Bangladesh’s sixth-highest run-scorer in the Test format. With the ball, he has taken 43 wickets including a five-wicket haul.
The official announcement came four months after Mahmudullah registered his highest score in the format in his last appearance in whites. He scored his career-best unbeaten 150 in Harare.
Of late, Mahmudullah has not had a good run as Bangladesh’s limited-overs captain. After a dismal show in T20 World Cup 2021, Bangladesh suffered a whitewash in the three-T20I series at the hands of Babar Azam-led side.
