Mahmudullah Ends International Career

Mahmudullah has retired from international cricket, announcing his ODI retirement via a social media post on Wednesday. Mahmudullah, who turned 39 last month, had already retired from Tests in 2021 and T20Is in 2024.

‘All praises only for the Almighty Allah. I have decided to retire from international cricket,’ Mahmudullah wrote on his official Facebook page. ‘I would like to thank all of my team-mates, coaches and especially my fans who have always supported me. 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. I know Raeid will miss me in red and green jersey. Not everything comes to an end in a perfect way, but you say yes and move forward. Peace, Alhamdulillah. Best wishes to my team & Bangladesh cricket.’

Mahmudullah concludes his ODI career as Bangladesh’s fourth-highest run-scorer, with 5689 runs at an average of 36.46, including four centuries and 32 half-centuries. His retirement follows Mushfiqur Rahim’s ODI retirement last week.

Earlier, the BCB indicated Mahmudullah’s impending retirement when they announced he had requested not to be considered for central contracts after February 2025.

Notably, all of Mahmudullah’s centuries were scored in ICC tournaments. He made two centuries in the 2015 ODI World Cup, an unbeaten 102 against New Zealand in the 2017 Champions Trophy, and 111 against South Africa in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.

The ODI retirements of Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur come after Bangladesh’s early exit in the 2025 Champions Trophy. Mahmudullah played one innings, scoring 4 runs against New Zealand. However, his form leading up to the tournament was strong, with four consecutive ODI fifties against Afghanistan and West Indies.

Mahmudullah debuted in ODIs in 2007, initially as a utility player. His career turning point was in the 2011 World Cup against England, where he contributed to a two-wicket victory. He further solidified his role with unbeaten fifties in an ODI series win against West Indies.

He achieved greater success in the 2015 World Cup with centuries against England and New Zealand. His century against New Zealand in the 2017 Champions Trophy, in a partnership with Shakib Al Hasan, remains a memorable moment in Bangladesh cricket.

Mahmudullah made a comeback for the 2023 World Cup after being dropped. He also contributed with the ball, taking 82 wickets. While he captained Bangladesh in T20Is and Tests, he never led in ODIs.

Mahmudullah’s retirement marks the end of an era for Bangladesh’s successful group of cricketers who played between 2006 and 2025 in white-ball cricket.

In addition to Mahmudullah, Tamim Iqbal reconfirmed his international retirement this year. Shakib Al Hasan had previously announced his Test and T20I retirements, with the Champions Trophy anticipated as his final ODI appearance. Mashrafe Mortaza last played ODIs in 2020. Mushfiqur Rahim has retired from ODIs and T20Is but is expected to reach 100 Test matches.