Mahmudullah to retire from T20Is after India series

Mohamed Mahmudullah

One of Bangladesh’s senior most players will call time on his T20I career after the ongoing series against India.

Experienced Bangladesh star Mohamed Mahmudullah has announced that he would retire from T20Is at the end of the ongoing bilateral series against India.

The 38-year-old all-rounder confirmed that he would, however, continue to play ODIs.

“I am retiring from T20I cricket after the last game of this series. I was pre-decided before coming here,” Mahmudullah said in the media conference.

“I had a chat with my family. I spoke to the coach, captain, chief selector and the [BCB] board president as well. I think it is the right time to move on from this format for me and the team, especially with the World Cup coming up in less than two years. I will concentrate on the one-day game.”

At present, Mahmudullah is the second-oldest player to play for Bangladesh after Jahangir Shah. He had retired from the longest format of the game three years ago.

Mahmudullah has played 139 T20Is for Bangladesh and if he plays the final two games of this series, will finish with 141 caps, the joint-third-highest in men’s T20Is.

A key figure down the order for Bangladesh as a finisher, Mahmudullah spoke about changing his approach to batting during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2016 in India.

“Back in 2016, there was a T20 World Cup in India and before that, we had a training camp in Khulna. I changed my batting approach from that camp,” he said.

“I had to bat at No. 6 or 7, so I decided to change my approach and style. It was the team’s finisher role. It was a very tricky place to bat. Not always you could finish the game.

“People would usually highlight the ones you didn’t finish, rather than the ones you were there for. But it is part and parcel of this game.”

The second T20I of the series will be played in Delhi today. India are leading 1-0 in the series after the win in Gwalior. (ICC)