Bangladesh In Shock As Star All-rounder Calls Time On International Career

Mahmudullah, one of the veteran all-rounders for Bangladesh, has called time on his international career after announcing his retirement from the 50-over format through a social media post on March 12. The right-handed batter had already retired from the longest and the shortest format.

Mahmudullah joins the experienced wicket-keeper batter of the Bangladesh side, Mushfiqur Rahim, in the retirement list, joining Tamim Iqbal and potentially Shakib Al Hasan to end the golden five players of the BCB.

Mahmudullah retires from ODI format to end 18-year-long international career

The Bangladesh all-rounder smashed 5689 runs in 209 ODI innings at an average of 36.46 and a strike rate of 77.64, shouldering on four centuries and 32 half-centuries in the format at the best score of unbeaten 128 runs, besides picking up 82 scalps.

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“All praises only for the Almighty Allah. I have decided to retire from international cricket. I want to thank my teammates, coaches, and especially my fans who have always supported me.” Mahmudullah wrote on his Facebook page.

“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.” The veteran noted.

He finished as the fourth-leading run-getter of the side along with Shakib, Tamim, and Rahim. On Monday (March 10), the Bangladesh Cricket Board revealed in a press release that the all-rounder requested them not to consider him for the central contract list after February 2025, which was a sign of calling his time.

“And finally, thanks to my wife & kids, who have been my support system through thick & thin. I know Raeid will miss me in the 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.” The veteran added.

Mahmudullah’s significance in ICC tournaments for Bangladesh

The ODI retirements of both Rahim and Mahmudullah came after the side’s early exit from the Champions Trophy 2025. All of the latter’s centuries came in ICC events. After scoring two hundreds in the 2015 ODI World Cup, he made an unbeaten 102 runs against the Kiwis in 2017 at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.

He also clubbed 111 runs against South Africa recently at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai during the 2023 ODI World Cup. His form in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy was excellent, with four ODI fifties in a row, against Afghanistan and West Indies away from home last year.

Mahmudullah's value with the ball was phenomenal, with 82 scalps at an economy rate of 5.21. But it was quite surprising how the all-rounder never led Bangladesh in ODIs, though he captained them in T20Is and Test cricket.

Bangladesh’s Future Roadmap Without Veteran Players

Mahmudullah’s retirement marks the end of the career of one of the country's most successful white-ball cricket players, who played between 2006 and 2025.

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Apart from the all-rounder, Tamim confirmed his international retirement at the start of the year, while Shakib decided in India last year. Having missed the Champions Trophy for many reasons, his ODI career seems finished.

With none of these veteran players available, Bangladesh will have to rely on the young players who can take the side forward in the future. They are expected to host Zimbabwe next in a white-ball series, and that side will be full of young and talented players.