Veteran Bangladesh all-rounder Mahmudullah Riyad has dropped a major hint about his retirement from international cricket, as he decided against renewing his central contract. Mahmudullah has reportedly opted out of the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) central contract for 2025.
A Bangladesh Cricket Board official revealed that Riyad informed the board that he is not interested in getting the central contract for the next season, starting from March 2025. His bold move came after facing fierce criticism over his poor performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Mahmudullah opts out of BCB Central Contract
As reported by Cricbuzz, a senior BCB official confirmed that the 38-year-old all-rounder personally requested the board not to include him in the upcoming central contract cycle.
A BCB official was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz, “He requested the board not to consider him in the central contract from March onwards.”
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Initially, the former Bangladesh captain was listed under Grade B in BCB’s proposed contract, but he made it clear that he doesn’t want to be part of the central contracts for the upcoming cycle, which means Riyad will only receive his salary for January and February before being officially dropped.
Mahmudullah Riyad faces intense heat after ICC Champions Trophy 2025 disaster
Mahmudullah’s decision came in the wake of his disastrous outing for the Tigers in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where his struggles with the bat were brutally exposed, especially against New Zealand, as he managed just four runs.
Bangladesh endured a winless campaign at the CT 2025. After which, former cricketers and analysts came down heavily on the Tigers and the seasoned all-rounder.
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Among them, former Indian batter Wasim Jaffer slammed Mahmudullah’s poor shot selection, calling his approach reckless. Notably, Jaffer earlier worked with the Bangladesh team.
Mahmudullah Riyad set to retire from ODI cricket!!
With Mushfiqur Rahim having already retired from ODI cricket, Mahmudullah Riyad’s decision not to get the central contract added fuel to the speculation that he is also in line to call time on his career. Riyad has also reportedly informed the BCB that he will not participate in the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, which hinted that his ODI career is almost near to end.
However, Riyad remains one of Bangladesh’s most iconic cricketers, having amassed 4,976 runs in 239 ODIs over an 18-year career. His future in T20I cricket is also uncertain, but his withdrawal from the central contract could be the final chapter of his ODI legacy.
BCB announces central contracts for 2025
Meanwhile, the BCB announced the list of players who have been given the central contracts for the upcoming season. A total of 22 players have been given contracts this time.
Players in Grade A+ will receive 10 lakh taka as a salary. Grade A players will get 8 lakh taka, while Grade B and Grade C will earn 6 lakh taka and 4 lakh taka, respectively. Those in Grade D will receive 2 lakh taka.
Grade A+: Taskin Ahmed
Grade A: Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim
Grade B: Mominul Haque, Taijul Islam, Mahmudullah, Mustafizur Rahman, Towhid Hridoy, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana
Grade C: Shadman Islam, Soumya Sarkar, Jaker Ali, Tanzid Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan, Mahedi Hasan
Grade D: Nasum Ahmed, Khaled Ahmed
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