Mahmudullah’s retirement announcement from One Day Internationals Wednesday marked the end of the road for the veteran’s illustrious international career for the Red and Green.
Riyad’s ODI debut came against Sri Lanka in July 25, 2007, and two months later he made his Twenty20 International bow against the same opposition.
He then received his maiden Test cap against the West Indies in 2009.
The right-hander played 239 ODIs and scored 5,689 runs, featured in 141 T20Is and garnered 2,444 runs and turned out in 50 Tests and gathered 2,914 runs.
Mahmudullah was one of the pillars of Bangladesh's middle-order across formats in the last one and a half decades and his announcement saw tributes flow in from his current and former teammates.
Bangladesh Cricket Board also thanked him for his immense contribution to Bangladesh cricket.
Mahmudullah has produced plenty of memories to cherish for Bangladesh fans and here are top five knocks from his long and illustrious career:
103 against England, 2015
The dependable all-rounder created history for the Tigers in the 2015 World Cup match against England in Adelaide, Australia by hitting 103. It was the first ever hundred by a Bangladeshi in the World Cup. Bangladesh were struggling after losing their openers early in the game. Mahmudullah, who batted at No 3 then, steadied the innings with a calm approach, and formed a good partnership with Soumya Sarkar for the fourth wicket. Even after the loss of Soumya and Shakib al Hasan’s wickets, Mahmudullah anchored the innings alongside Mushfiqur Rahim (89) and put up enough runs on the board for the Bangladesh bowlers to defend. Mahmudullah’s patient yet mesmerizing 103-run knock came to a halt in the 46th over. But by that time, he made history for the Tigers. Later, Bangladesh won by 15 runs with a sizzling bowling effort, particularly by Rubel Hossain in the death overs. Mahmudullah’s solid innings earned him the man of the match award, and Bangladesh a famous win that saw the Three Lions get knocked out of the 2015 World Cup.
128 against New Zealand, 2015
In the very next match, Mahmudullah struck another brilliant century, this time against the Kiwis in Hamilton. Co-hosts New Zealand were high flying in the World Cup, playing some exciting cricket throughout the tournament, and eventually became one of the title contenders. Just after knocking England out and achieving a famous victory, Bangladesh were on the verge of another historical win riding on yet another stunning Mahmudullah ton. The Black Caps were off to a brilliant start as Trent Boult removed both the openers within the first 10 overs. Mahmudullah stitched together a 90-run stand with Soumya for the fourth wicket and then accelerated his innings to help the Tigers go close to 300. Mahmudullah was unbeaten till the end with a score of 128 off 123 balls with a dozen fours and three sixes as Bangladesh finished on 288/7. New Zealand held their nerve in the end and reached the target with seven balls to spare but Bangladesh gave a tough fight. Although Bangladesh lost by three wickets, Mahmudullah’s heroic innings was applauded by everyone.
102 against New Zealand, 2017
He produced another gem of an innings to guide the Tigers, alongside Shakib, to victory against the Kiwis at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff in the 2017 Champions Trophy. Mahmudullah and Shakib’s 224-run partnership was the highest Bangladesh stand for any wicket. Mahmudullah’s unbeaten 102 off 107 deliveries was composed with eight boundaries and two sixes. The Tigers were hobbling on 33/4 when Mushfiq’s defence was rattled in the 12th over by Tim Southee. In came Mahmudullah, starting his innings with a gutsy attitude. In the last ball of the 13th over, he whacked Southee over mid-wicket for a boundary, showing a lot of courage to counterattack the New Zealand bowling. And then Mahmudullah and Shakib (who also scored a hundred) produced one of the best partnerships in Bangladesh cricket’s history as they counterattacked and cornered Kiwi bowling attack to ensure victory in the end.
43 against Sri Lanka, 2018
Mahmudullah’s 43-run innings against Sri Lanka in Nidahas Trophy T20 tournament could easily be considered as one of the best T20I innings from a Bangladeshi till date. Considering the match situation and some incidents off the field, such innings under pressure was surely something special. Bangladesh chased down 160 with one ball and two wickets to spare thanks to Mahmudullah’s heroics. His whirlwind 43 came off just 18 deliveries with three fours and two sixes. Both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh needed to win their last group match to reach the final of the tournament against India. Twelve runs were needed from the last over. Mahmudullah hammered a brilliant boundary over cover off the third ball of the over and took two off the fourth ball. In the next delivery, he smashed a superb sixer over deep fine leg to take Bangladesh into the final. His ecstatic celebration where he jumped with joy turned into one of the most iconic moments in Bangladesh cricket history.
150* against Zimbabwe, 2021
Mahmudullah’s Test career had some ups and down as the middle-order batter played 50 matches before retiring from the longest format. Mahmudullah scored five Test hundreds in his career and perhaps the most memorable was the one that he got in his last Test innings. It was reported that Mahmudullah had told his teammates during the match that he will retire after that game. It was the only Test match against hosts Zimbabwe in Harare. Tigers batsmen were struggling in tricky conditions as at one stage they were six down with only 132 runs on the board. Then Liton Das (95) and Mahmudullah forged a good partnership. Mahmudullah later continued his fight after Liton’s dismissal and added 191 with Taskin Ahmed (75). Tigers eventually posted 478 and Mahmudullah was unbeaten on 150 off 278 deliveries with 17 fours and one six. No doubt it was one of his best Test innings.
