The Mahmudullah ‘retirement’ saga continues

Despite Bangladesh registering a thumping 220-run victory, the one-off Test against Zimbabwe will mostly be remembered for all the commotion surrounding Mahmudullah Riyad's murky tale of Test retirement.

The saga started on the third day of the Test, when news broke that Mahmudullah had expressed an unwillingness to continue playing Test cricket to his teammates in the dressing room following the end of day's play. That was after he had already struck a career-best Test score, an unbeaten 150 that pulled Bangladesh from a position of vulnerability to one of strength.

However, nothing was confirmed as there was no official announcement from the team management and Mahmudullah did not mention it when he spoke to media at the end of the third day's play in Harare. After that, understandably, Mahmudullah's 'retirement from Tests' topic started losing traction in the media.

But two days later, it resurged with a vengeance when Mahmudullah was given a guard of honour before walking out to the ground yesterday for the final day of the Test. Even the TV commentators mentioned that it was his last day in the white kit for Bangladesh. But the suspense continued. While everyone expected it and all the indications were there, there was still no official announcement after the completion of the game.

To get a clear picture of what is going on in Harare, The Daily Star contacted Ahmed Sajjadul Alam Bobby, who accompanied the Bangladesh team on the tour as their team leader.

"There has not been any decision or development in this regard. We cannot confirm anything from here [Harare]. Any decision regarding this will be given from Dhaka," Bobby informed.

Things became clearer when Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan, who is in Dhaka, was contacted over the phone. It was learned that Mahmudullah had written to the BCB earlier, mentioning his intention to continue playing all three formats for the foreseeable future. Hassan was perplexed that Mahmudullah's words did not match his actions.

"Mahmudullah called me after I had learned from someone in Harare that he said the Test was going to be his last. I talked to him and I said: 'You had given in writing before going on that tour that you were willing to play all formats. And now you are saying you don't want to play Tests anymore. Your actions don't match what you gave us in writing. It's better that you play the rest of the series [upcoming three ODIs and as many T20Is] and then once you return to Dhaka, give us a letter informing us that you changed your mind about playing Tests and then take a decision in this regard'," Hassan said.

Hassan also mentioned that he received a text from Mahmudullah late at night before the fifth day of the Test. The cricketer mentioned his desire to formally announce his retirement after the end of Zimbabwe Test, but Hassan said he did not respond to it as he had already informed Mahmudullah about his stance in this regard.