Former Sri Lankan cricket captain Angelo Mathews has decided to retire from his long-standing cricket career. His last Test match is currently taking place against Bangladesh in Galle, the same location where he made his debut and celebrated his 100th Test appearance.
Mathews had previously shared on social media his intention to retire from Test cricket, emphasizing the need for younger players to step up and shape the future of Sri Lankan cricket.
Before his final Test, Mathews revealed to the press that he also plans to retire from white-ball cricket in the near future. He aims to represent Sri Lanka one last time at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, before hanging up his boots. He expressed his commitment to improving his fitness to secure a spot on the national team once more.
As quoted by a media outlet, Mathews stated:
"There are six more months until the next T20 World Cup, and I'll give it a try depending on what my body tells me. I hope to retire from white-ball cricket at that World Cup."
He further added:
"If we can win another World Cup, I'll try to contribute toward that. So, I'll do everything I can to improve my fitness and skills over the next six months."
Mathews has enjoyed a remarkable career in T20 Internationals, being part of the Sri Lankan squad that clinched the ICC T20 World Cup title in 2014. Over his T20I career, he scored 1,416 runs in 90 matches, including six half-centuries, and took 45 wickets with an economy rate of 7.14. His last T20I appearance was against the Netherlands during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 held in Gros Islet.