Bangladesh’s veteran all-rounder Mahmudullah has announced his decision to retire from T20 International cricket following the upcoming three-match series against India. The 38-year-old, who made his T20I debut in 2007 against Kenya, will bring an end to a distinguished 17-year career in the shortest format of the game, which stands as the third longest T20I career behind only his teammate Shakib Al Hasan and Zimbabwe’s Sean Williams.
Mahmudullah, who has been a key figure for Bangladesh in all formats over the years, had previously retired from Test cricket in 2021. Despite stepping away from T20Is, the seasoned all-rounder will continue to represent Bangladesh in ODIs, where he has enjoyed significant success, notably being the team’s leading run-scorer during the 2023 Men’s World Cup in India with a total of 328 runs.
Reflecting on his decision to retire from T20Is, Mahmudullah stated that he had made up his mind well in advance, having already discussed the matter with Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan, coach Chandika Hathurusingha, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president. He is now focused on ODIs, with an eye on the upcoming ODI series in the West Indies in December and the Champions Trophy in 2025, where he hopes to contribute further to Bangladesh’s cricketing success.
“I was pre-decided about retirement before coming to this series. I had a chat with the captain and the coach and intimated my decision to the BCB president. It’s the right time to move on from this format and try to focus on the ODIs,” Mahmudullah said.
Over his extensive T20I career, Mahmudullah has accumulated 2,395 runs at an impressive strike rate of 117.74, alongside 40 wickets in 139 matches. Despite his consistent performances, the all-rounder will always be remembered for the highs and lows of his T20I career, with the 2016 T20 World Cup defeat to India in Bengaluru marking a particularly painful chapter. That match, which saw Bangladesh fall agonizingly short, was described by Mahmudullah as his “most frustrating moment,” while he pointed to the 2018 Nidahas Trophy as his favorite memory in the format. In that tournament, Mahmudullah’s explosive 43 off 18 balls helped Bangladesh reach the final, though they ultimately lost to India in the decider.
“The most frustrating moment was the loss to India in the 2016 World Cup in Bengaluru. It was a life-changing moment for me and taught me a lot. The best moment came in the Nidahas Trophy,” Mahmudullah said, reflecting on his career.
As Bangladesh bids farewell to one of its most iconic T20I players, all eyes will now be on the series against India, where Mahmudullah will hope to leave a lasting legacy in the shortest format before shifting his full attention to the ODI format. His invaluable experience and contributions are expected to continue shaping Bangladesh’s cricketing future in the coming years.