Bangladesh’s Mahmudullah Riyadh says the remaining two T20 matches in India will be his last international appearance against Munir-uz-Zaman
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Former Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah Riyadh on Tuesday said the remaining two T20 matches in India will be his last international appearance in this format and vowed to put on a “good show”.
Mahmudullah, 38, who retired from Tests in 2021, will play his 140th T20 match for Bangladesh in the second match in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The tourists need a win to continue their third consecutive match in the Indian capital after losing the opening match in Gwalior by seven wickets.
“I will retire from T20 cricket after the last match of this series,” Mahmudullah told reporters.
The final match of the series will be played in Hyderabad on Saturday.
“I had decided before I came here. I discussed it with my family, coach and captain,” Mahmudullah added.
“This is the perfect time for me and the team to move on from this format and focus on the one-day game.”
Mahmudullah has been a warhorse for Bangladesh ever since he made his international debut in a one-day international against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2007.
He played 50 Tests, 232 ODIs and 139 T20s for his country, scoring over 10,500 runs across formats as a reliable middle-order batsman and taking 165 wickets with off-spin.
“If we can perform to our potential (in Delhi), we will be able to put on a good show,” he said.
Mahmudullah said he has “no regrets” over his 17-year career.
“I have never regretted playing for Bangladesh at any stage of my life,” he said. “I’ve always been a team man.”
The veteran said the T20 team continues to be in good shape under captain Nazimul Hossain Shanto.
Mahmudullah’s T20 exit comes shortly after star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan announced his withdrawal from T20s during last month’s Test series, which the tourists lost 0-2.
Meanwhile, India’s speedy left-hander Arshdeep Singh said he is making the most of his opportunities with the national team without thinking too much about the future.
Arshdeep, who will make his India debut in 2022, told reporters, “My philosophy in life is to enjoy the moment.”
“If I get a chance, I want to do my best in any format.”
Arshdeep has taken 86 wickets in 55 T20 internationals and played in India’s T20 World Cup-winning match in June.
