Mahmudullah retirement: Top 5 knocks by the Bangladesh batsman in T20I cricket

Mahmudullah ends his career as Bangladesh’s second-highest T20I scorer.

Former Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah retired from T20Is in October 2024 with the T20I series in India being his last. The 38-year-old made his T20I debut in 2007 and is the most capped T20I player for his country.

He retired as one of the T20I greats in Bangladesh cricket history. Mahmudullah has played many match-winning knocks for Bangladesh in the shortest format.

He also has the second-most runs for his country in T20I cricket. Mahmudullah had some memorable moments with the bat, about which we will talk here. In this article, we will talk about the top five knocks in T20I cricket played by Mahmudullah.

Top 5 knocks Mahmudullah in T20I cricket:

5. 43* vs West Indies, Mirpur, 2018

Mahmudullah has played the role of a finisher and has played some brilliant cameos lower down the order. One of those came against West Indies in Mirpur in December 2018. Batting at No. 6, he went on to score an unbeaten 21-ball 43 with seven fours.

His innings helped Bangladesh reach a big total of 211/4 in 20 overs. This is the second-highest total for Bangladesh in T20I cricket. In reply, West Indies were all out for 175 runs, handing over a 36-run win to the hosts.

4. 54 vs Sri Lanka, Sylhet, 2024

Bangladesh have only scored 200 or more twice in the second innings of a T20I game. One such effort came against Sri Lanka in Sylhet in March 2024. It was the first game of the series, and Sri Lanka made 206/3 batting first.

In the chase, Bangladesh were struggling at 4/68 in 8.5 overs. That was the time when Mahmudullah came to the rescue. He scored 54 off 31 and added some important partnerships. Unfortunately, as he got out, Bangladesh lost the momentum and fell just three runs short of the target.

3. 62 vs Zimbabwe, Chattogram, 2019

Mahmudullah has eight half-centuries in T20I cricket, and one of those came in Chattogram against Zimbabwe in September 2019 in a tri-series. Bangladesh needed this win to make it to the final of the tri-series.

Mahmudullah came to bat at 3/65 in 7.2 overs and slammed a 37-ball fifty. He made 62 off 41 balls, with one four and five sixes to take Bangladesh to 175/7. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 136 runs, and Bangladesh won by 39 runs. Mahmudullah won the Man of the Match award.

2. 64* vs West Indies, Mirpur, 2012

Mahmudullah’s highest score in T20I cricket came in Mirpur against West Indies in 2012. Batting first, West Indies scored a big total of 197/4 in 20 overs.

Chasing the score, Bangladesh got a good start from Tamim Iqbal (88 off 61). Mahmudullah arrived at the crease after the first wicket fell. He and Tamim added an unbeaten 142-run stand for the second wicket.

It is Bangladesh’s highest T20I partnership for any wicket. Mahmudullah scored 64 off 48 balls, with three fours and four sixes. Yet, Bangladesh fell short of the target by 18 runs.

1. 43* vs Sri Lanka, Colombo, 2018

The cameo against Sri Lanka in the Nidahas Trophy 2018 in Colombo is probably the best knock of Mahmudullah’s T20I career. This was an important game, as Bangladesh needed this win to qualify for the final.

Sri Lanka made 159/7 in the first innings. In reply, Bangladesh kept losing wickets. Bangladesh lost their 8th wicket at 148 runs in 19.2 overs and needed 12 runs to win in the last four balls. This was an intense moment and there was a verbal exchange between the players of both sides.

Mahmudullah then slammed 4, 2, and 6 on the next three balls to take Bangladesh to a dramatic win, which helped them qualify for the final of the Nidahas Trophy. Mahmudullah scored an unbeaten 43 off just 18 balls and was named the Man of the Match.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.