DHAKA: Bangladesh all-rounder Mahmudullah Riyad has announced his retirement from test cricket at the age of 35 but will continue to play One-day Internationals and Twenty20s, the country’s cricket board (BCB) said in a statement on Wednesday.

Mahmudullah’s last Test was against Zimbabwe in Harare in July, where he scored an unbeaten 150 — his fifth Test hundred — in his final innings and led the side to a 220-run victory.

The right-hander scored 2,914 runs at an average of 33.49 and took 43 wickets in Tests, captaining the side six times.

Local media reported that Mahmudullah told his teammates during the Zimbabwe Test but waited to make a formal announcement.

“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,” Mahmudullah said in a statement on Wednesday.

“I thank my teammates and 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.”

His announcement came two days before Bangladesh take on Pakistan in the first game of a two-Test series in Chittagong.

Mahmudullah, the Twenty20 captain of Bangladesh who was not selected for Pakistan Tests, promised to continue playing the other two formats.

“Although I am retiring from Tests, I will still be playing ODIs and T20 internationals and really looking forward to continue giving my best for my country in white ball cricket,” he said.

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2021