Mahmudullah Riyad Announces Retirement from International Cricket

Veteran all-rounder Mahmudullah has officially called time on his international cricket career. The 39-year-old took to social media to share the news, bringing an end to a remarkable journey with the Bangladesh national team. Having already stepped away from Test cricket in 2021 and T20Is earlier in 2024, he has now decided to walk away from ODIs as well after the Champions Trophy.

"All praises only for the Almighty Allah. I have decided to retire from international cricket. I would like to thank all of my teammates, coaches & specially my fans who have always supported me," Mahmudullah wrote in an emotional Facebook post. He also expressed his gratitude to his family, particularly his brother Emdad Ullah, who played a crucial role in his development as a cricketer. "A big thank you to my parents, my in-laws, especially my father-in-law & most importantly my brother Emdad Ullah, who has been there for me constantly since my childhood as my coach & mentor. And finally, thanks to my wife & kids who have been my support system through thick & thin. Not everything comes to an end in a perfect way but you say yes & move forward. Best wishes to my team & Bangladesh cricket," he added. 

Matches:
Innings: ️
Runs: ️
High Score: ️
Average: ️
Strike Rate: ️
Hundreds: ️
Fifties: ️
Bangladesh all-rounder Mahmudullah Riyad hangs up his boots from international cricket. pic.twitter.com/nGCVpquWBN

— ScoreWaves (@ScoreWaves) March 12, 2025

Mahmudullah’s exit follows a disappointing Champions Trophy campaign, where he played just one game against New Zealand, scoring only four runs. He missed Bangladesh’s opener against India, while their game against Pakistan was washed out due to rain. Despite the underwhelming farewell, his contributions to Bangladesh cricket remain undeniable. In a career spanning over 239 ODIs, Mahmudullah amassed 5,689 runs, including four centuries and 32 half-centuries. He also chipped in with 82 wickets. 

Among Bangladesh’s greatest ODI run-scorers, he ranks fourth, behind only Tamim Iqbal (8,357), Mushfiqur Rahim (7,795), and Shakib Al Hasan (7,570). Across all formats, his numbers are even more impressive. The seasoned campaigner played 430 international matches, scoring 11,047 runs and taking 166 wickets. His ability to rise to the occasion was best showcased in ICC tournaments, where he registered four centuries – three in World Cups and one in the 2017 Champions Trophy, more than any other Bangladeshi player. Most recently, he was Bangladesh’s highest run-getter at the 2023 Men’s World Cup in India, scoring 328 runs. 

With Mahmudullah now joining the likes of Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan in retirement, Bangladesh cricket finds itself in a transition phase. The team is losing its experienced core, leaving a void that won’t be easy to fill. His retirement marks the end of an era, but his legacy as one of Bangladesh’s biggest match-winners will live on.