Imrul Kayes announces retirement from red-ball cricket

Imrul Kayes has decided to bid farewell to red-ball cricket, announcing his retirement from both Test and first-class formats. 

This marks the end of a distinguished career for the left-handed batter, who had been a regular face in Bangladesh's cricketing landscape for over a decade.

Despite remaining active and consistently performing in first-class cricket, Imrul had been on the sidelines of the national Test team since 2019.

His last appearance in the longer format came against India, but he has since struggled to reclaim his place in the side. On 12 November, he officially announced his decision to step away from both Test and first-class cricket, acknowledging that his time in red-ball cricket has come to a close.

Imrul played his final first-class match for Khulna Division, where he showcased his trademark resilience. Although dismissed for a duck in the first innings, he came back to score a gritty 71 in the second. This half-century served as a fitting end to his first-class career, underscoring his commitment to the game until the very end.

In a post on social media, Imrul expressed his gratitude, writing, "Ending my Test Career, Thank you, to all my fans for showing their love and support always!" 

The message resonated with fans and colleagues, marking an emotional moment for a player who has been part of Bangladesh's cricket story for so long.

Imrul's Test career includes 39 matches in which he scored 1,797 runs, leaving behind a legacy as a steady presence at the crease and a committed representative of Bangladesh cricket.