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Senior Bangladesh all-rounder Mahmudullah has confirmed his T20I retirement after the ongoing three-match series against India. The spin-bowling all-rounder has revealed that it was decided well before the series as he prefers to concentrate more on one-day international cricket now.
The right-hander made his T20I debut against Kenya in Nairobi in 2007 and has so far played 139 matches, making him the most-capped Bangladesh cricketer in the format. He has compiled 2,395 runs at an average of 23.48, while his off-spin has yielded 40 scalps.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the second T20I against India on Wednesday, Mahmdudullah announced as quoted by ESPNCricinfo:
"I am retiring from T20 cricket after the last game of this series. I was pre-decided before coming here. I had a chat with my family. I spoke to the coach [Chandika Hathurusinghe], captain [Najmul Hossain Shanto], chief selector [Gazi Ashraf Hossain] and the board president [Faruque Ahmed] 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."
The first T20I against India in Gwalior saw the right-hander become Mayank Yadav's first international victim as he miscued one to deep point, forcing him to walk back for a single. With the tourists folding for 127, India eventually won by seven wickets to go 1-0 up in the series.
"I changed my batting approach from that camp" - Mahmudullah Riyad
Mahmudullah further recalled how his role changed ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup and has played as a finisher ever since.
He elaborated:
"Back in 2016, there was a T20 World Cup in India. Before that, we had a training camp in Khulna. I changed my batting approach from that camp. 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."
Bangladesh will look to level the T20I series during the second T20I on Wednesday, October 9, in Delhi.
