Mahmudullah retires from International Cricket
Bangladesh cricket has witnessed the end of an era as legend allrounder Mahmudullah Riyad announced his retirement from international cricket. The 39 year old who had already retired from Test cricket in 2021 and T20Is in 2024 made his final decision public on Wednesday night.
Mahmudullah shared an emotional message on social media thanking his teammates, coaches, and fans for their unconditional support. He expressed gratitude to his family especially to his brother who played a cruicial role in his career.
His announcement triggered an powerful response from the fans and former players like Mashrafe Mortaza, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan shared heartfelt messages recalling the impact of Mahmudullah had on Bangladesh cricket.
Mahmudullah’s career
Mahmudullah played 239 One Day Internationals ODIs scoring 5689 runs, including four centuries and 32 half centuries. He also contributed with the ball taking 82 wickets. He remains the fourth highest run-scorer for Bangladesh in ODIs behind Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan.
His great achievement was his century in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup making him the first Bangladeshi player to achieve this record. His performances in ICC tournaments made him a big match player and he played a crucial role in Bangladesh’s success on the world stage.
Tributes from Teammates
Mashrafe Mortaza who the captain of Mahmudullah for a long time praised his contributions beyond the numbers, highlighting his ability and commitment to the team. You are much more than the numbers next to your name. Your performances in Adelaide and Cardiff will always be remembered, said Mashrafe.
Tamim Iqbal called him one of the pillars of Bangladesh cricket while Mushfiqur Rahim said it was an honor to share the field with him. Shakib Al Hasan despite being less active on social media also paid tribute, saying Mahmudullah was a role model both on and off the field.
Younger players like Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Towhid Hridoy shared personal memories of Mahmudullah’s guidance and support. Taskin Ahmed described him as an inspiration for new generation while Litton Das and Tanzid Hasan thanked him for his mentorship.
A warm Goodbye:
Mahmudullah’s retirement is one of the best players departure which will be recall for years Despite a below-par performance in his final tournament, his legacy remains unbroken. His ability to deliver in crucial matches and his calm presence on the field made him a valuable asset to the team.
As he steps away from international cricket his fans and teammates will remember him for years for his contributions to the Bangladeshi team. Bangladesh cricket will surely miss him but his influence will continue to inspire future generations.
Best wishes to Mahmudullah Riyad for his post retirement journey!
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