Angelo Mathews Retires from Test Cricket, Eyes T20 World Cup 2026
Angelo Mathews Announces Retirement from Test Cricket
Sri Lanka's seasoned all-rounder, Angelo Mathews, has officially retired from Test cricket following the first Test match against Bangladesh. He had previously announced his intention to step away from this format after the match. With his Test career behind him, Mathews is now focusing on participating in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, expressing his desire to compete in this tournament.
Mathews Shares His Aspirations
After the conclusion of the match against Bangladesh, Mathews stated, 'I still have six months left. I want to give my best shot to be part of the T20 World Cup 2026. It would be wonderful to end my cricketing career with a victory in the World Cup. It’s also crucial to see how my body holds up.' Mathews was part of the Sri Lankan team that won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in 2014, where they triumphed over India in the final.
The veteran player expressed his gratitude for the support he has received from fans, sending a special message of thanks. Although he has retired from Test cricket, Mathews is expected to continue making an impact in white-ball formats.
First Test Ends in a Draw
The first Test match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka concluded in a draw. Bangladesh batted first, scoring 495 runs in their first innings. In response, Sri Lanka managed to score 485 runs. Mathews contributed 39 runs in the first innings but only managed 6 runs in the second innings, which may leave him disappointed for not achieving a higher score in his final Test match. The second Test between the two teams is set to commence on June 25 in Colombo.