2025 witnessed another retirement in cricket; another legend said goodbye to the longest format of the game. Angelo Mathews, currently playing against Bangladesh in the first Test match of a 2-match series, will hang up his boots after the conclusion of the match in Galle International Stadium.

Before his last Test match for Sri Lanka, the moments he had experienced over the past few hours and days were truly emotional and unforgettable for a player like Mathews, whose international career spanned over 15 years. During the pre-match press conference, the cornerstone of Sri Lanka cricket was emotional and recalled those days when he was new in the dressing room.

"I played my 100th Test in Galle, so I thought I'd say goodbye in Galle. But the main reason was because we don't have any games coming up, at least for now. After this, we'll be having our next assignment in Test cricket after a year's time; that is a very long wait," Angelo Mathews said.

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A grand tribute for Angelo Mathews 

Sri Lanka will play only four Tests in 2025. That's why he chose this match as his retirement stage. The 38-year-old all-rounder debuted for team Sri Lanka back in 2009, and since then he has gotten 8,167 runs and 33 wickets in 118 tests. Mathews reached the 100-Tests milestone in 2022 and became the 12th man to be dismissed for 199 in a Test in the process.

In his last match, the legend of the format received a guard of honor on the field and a special memento as well. Sri Lanka Cricket said on a social media post, "A beautiful tribute to a cricketing icon. Before his final Test, Angelo Mathews was honored in a special ceremony on the hallowed grounds of Galle, joined by his proud family. 

Watch the farewell here

Angelo Mathews Farewell Test: Special Felicitation Ceremony | https://t.co/ltzj4zWmWc #ThankYouAngelo

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) June 17, 2025

Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews has stunned the world by revealing his decision to retire from the white-ball format. Previously, Matthews had announced his retirement from Test cricket earlier in May, with the home Test series against Bangladesh being the last of his career. 

Now, as per the latest reports, the 37-year-old has already given indications of giving up on the shortest format. Mathews has already informed everyone of his decision to retire from the white-ball set-up following the conclusion of the T20 World Cup next year. 

See also: Angelo Mathews Provides Video Proof to Challenge 'Timed Out' Dismissal Decision by Umpires

Matthews opens up on his white-ball retirement

During his very recent interaction with Cricbuzz, the Sri Lankan all-rounder expressed that he has enough fuel in his tank to persevere till the 2026 T20 World Cup. In this time, Mathews aims to asses whether his body will be able to withstand enough workload. 

"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."

Angelo Mathews targets to sign off from white ball cricket after the 2026 T20 World Cup. pic.twitter.com/t0vxQtSFvc

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 17, 2025

While his absence from the national side will most definitely create a void, Mathews does leave behind a rich legacy that the island nation can be proud of. Making his Test debut for Sri Lanka in 2009, Mathews has accumulated 8167 in 118 matches, leaving him only behind Kumar Sangakkara (12400) and Mahela Jayawardena (11814). 

Moreover, he was a genuine asset for Sri Lanka in the white-ball set-up as well. The 37-year-old played an instrumental role in powering Sri Lanka to their T20 World Cup title glory in 2014, when they outclassed the tournament favorites India in a thumping fashion. Mathews opened the bowling and picked up the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane to open the doors for his side early on. 

Angelo Mathews Set for Test Farewell as Sri Lanka Announce Squad for Bangladesh Tour

Just two days before the series begins, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has named its 18 player squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh. This series marks the start of the 2025–27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Bangladesh had already announced their 16-member squad, with Najmul Hossain Shanto continuing as captain.

Mathews to Retire After First Test

A big moment in the series will be the farewell of Sri Lankan veteran Angelo Mathews, who will retire from Test cricket after the first match in Galle. Mathews, who debuted in 2009 as an all-rounder, has become the third-highest run-scorer in Sri Lanka’s Test history. Over the years, he shifted his focus to batting and surpassed legends like Sanath Jayasuriya and Marvan Atapattu in the run charts during his 16-year Test career.

Fresh Faces in Sri Lanka Squad

Sri Lanka have included six uncapped players in the squad: Lahiru Udara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Pawan Rathnayake, Tharindu Ratnayake, and Isitha Wijesundara. Lahiru Kumara was also named initially but had to withdraw due to injury.

Following their 0–2 defeat to Australia, Sri Lanka has made several changes. Five players Sadeera Samarawickrama, Ramesh Mendis, Nishan Peiris, Vishwa Fernando, and Jeffrey Vandersay have been left out. With former skipper Dimuth Karunaratne recently retiring from Tests, Sri Lanka will also look to fill the gap at the top of the batting order.

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Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh 2025 Tour Schedule

Sri Lanka Test Squad vs Bangladesh

Pathum NissPATHanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva (Captain), Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Pawan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Tharindu Ratnayake, Akila Dananjaya, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Isitha Wijesundara.

The cricket world is now witnessing a series of farewells from Test cricket. After sudden retirements from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, another legend of the format in modern-era cricket has said goodbye to the longest format of the game.

Sri Lanka all-rounder and former captain Angelo Mathews announced his decision to retire from the format through an emotional long write-up shared on his official social media account. Near 38, Mathews confirms that he'll be available for the limited overs competition and open to represent his country.

With an imperturbable temperament, the right-handed batter has a remarkable unbeaten 200-run innings in Test, which was his best-played innings in the format. Overall, Mathews played 118 Tests for Sri Lanka with an average of 44.62. His 200* came against Zimbabwe at Harare in January 2020.

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End of another well decorated Test career

Not only with the bat, Mathews' contribution with the ball is impeccable. The Sri Lanka all rounder claimed 33 Test wickets with an economy rate of 2.71. Sri Lanka is scheduled to face Bangladesh in a two-match Test series in the upcoming month; the first match will be Mathews' final contest in the white jersey.

The iconic figure of Sri Lanka said, "The past 17 years of playing cricket for Sri Lanka have been my highest honor and pride. Nothing can match that feeling of patriotism and servitude when one dons the national jersey. I have given my everything to cricket, and cricket has given me everything in return and made me the person that I am today... The first test match against Bangladesh in June will be my last red-ball appearance for my country. Whilst I bid adieu to the test format, as discussed with selectors, I will remain available for selection for the white ball format if and when my country needs me."

pic.twitter.com/nqsnpkpekD

— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) May 23, 2025

Dimuth Karunaratne used to be the captain of Sri Lanka's cricket team and he open the games. But now he said, I'm not going to Retire from  the International Cricket. Dimuth has played in many games, the last game for his career is 100th test. Karunaratne will play this important 100th game against Australia, on February 6th in Galle. 

Dimuth Karunaratne to Retire After 100th Test: A Remarkable Journey Comes to an End

Karunaratne plays so many years for the Sri Lanka team. He opens the innings and helps his team do very well. Everyone thinks he's a great Captain. When he was the captain, his team won Very important games. However, Karunaratne’s recent struggles with form and a dip in motivation have led him to believe that retiring after reaching the 100 Test landmark is the right decision. His contributions will be remembered as a significant part of Sri Lanka's resurgence in international cricket.

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Karunaratne Reflects on His Decision

Before his last approach, Karunaratne spoke to his friends Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal about his retirement. He first wanted to obtain 10,000 runs, but he's happy with what he did. “I am happy with what I have achieved so far. I want to announce my retirement with a happy moment like playing in my 100th Test,” Karunaratne told Daily FT.

🚨 DIMUTH KARUNARATNE RETIRING FROM CRICKET 🚨

- Karunaratne will be playing his 100th Test against Australia during the 2nd Test and he will be retiring from International cricket after the match. [Sportspavilion] pic.twitter.com/n3gt91FLx6

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 4, 2025

A Legacy Cemented in Sri Lankan Cricket

Having scored a century in his 50th Test, Karunaratne is keen to replicate that feat in his final game. He made 7,172 runs. The average under 40. He also made really big scores  that's when he get 100 runs more than 16 times and he scored 50 more than 39 times. 

His resilience, consistency, and leadership have made him one of the greatest openers to wore the Sri Lankan jersey. As he prepares to bid farewell, his contribution to the game will serve as an inspiration for future generations of cricketers in Sri Lanka. As he moves to Australia with his family, Karunaratne leaves behind a legacy that will be cherished for years to come. His departure marks not just the end of an individual career but a significant moment in Sri Lanka’s cricketing history.

Former Sri Lanka U-19 captain Dhammika Niroshana was shot and killed in his home in Galle on Wednesday, July 17.

Dhammika Niroshana, who captained Sri Lanka’s U-19 cricket team was shot outside his house in Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka. He was 41 years old. The authorities are investigating to find the person responsible.

Niroshana leaves behind his wife and two children. He had a bright cricket career as a fast bowler and occasional batsman, starting with the U-19 team in 2000 and becoming its captain in 2002. He retired from cricket in 2004.

Future stars who played alongside Niroshana

Though he never played for the senior national team, Niroshana competed with future stars like Angelo Mathews, Upul Tharanga, and Farveez Maharoof. He played for domestic teams such as Chilaw Marians CC and Galle CC.

Police spokesperson Nihal Thalduwa said that the shooting seems to be linked to gang rivalry, and investigations are ongoing to catch the suspect.

Niroshana’s legacy in Sri Lankan youth cricket

Niroshana’s Cricket Journey Niroshana, known for his fast bowling and batting, made his U-19 debut for Sri Lanka in 2000 and led the team in the 2002 U-19 World Cup in New Zealand. His leadership helped Sri Lanka reach the second Super League stage despite winning only one match.

His team included future international stars like Farveez Maharoof, Jeevan Mendis, Dhammika Prasad, and Upul Tharanga. Niroshana took seven wickets in five matches, with his best performance being 3-38.

In the ongoing first T20I between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Bangladesh’s Shoriful Islam emerged as the center of attention. The competition between the two teams has intensified, with Shoriful Islam seizing every opportunity to playfully needle the opposition. Following his dismissal of Avishka Fernando, Shoriful Islam couldn’t resist taunting Sri Lanka with a cheeky imitation of the timed-out celebration.

Sparking Controversy: The Timed-Out Dismissal Incident

The moment occurred during the second ball of the innings when Shoriful Islam delivered a fuller-length ball outside off stump. Avishka Fernando, attempting a forceful drive, only managed to edge the ball, resulting in an easy catch for wicketkeeper Litton Das. While the dismissal itself was routine, Shoriful Islam’s post-wicket antics drew widespread attention. His mocking gesture, reminiscent of Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews’ dismissal during the ICC World Cup 2023 game against Bangladesh, added an extra layer of amusement to the match.

In that game, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan had famously appealed for a timed-out dismissal against Mathews, who faced delays due to a broken helmet strap, sparking controversy and banter alike.

However, the Bangladesh skipper’s request for a timed-out dismissal didn’t sit well with everyone, as the decision was made to give the batter out. Angelo Mathews was visibly angered by this turn of events, sparking a high-intensity battle between the two teams. Since then, both sides have spared no effort in exchanging verbal volleys and competitive jibes, adding fuel to their ongoing rivalry.

Shoriful Islam leaks 47 runs in his 4 overs as Sri Lanka amass a colossal total of 206 runs

In the ongoing match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the island nation made an explosive start with the bat, posting an imposing total on the scoreboard. Led by Charith Asalanka, Sri Lanka opted to bat first, capitalizing on favorable batting conditions.

Following Avishka Fernando’s departure, Kusal Mendis anchored the innings, crafting a splendid half-century with 59 runs off 36 deliveries. Kamindu Mendis provided valuable support with a contribution of 19 runs, consolidating the middle order.

However, the real onslaught came from Sadeera Samarawickrama (61) and skipper Charith Asalanka (44). The pair launched a ferocious assault on the Bangladesh bowlers, ruthlessly dismantling the opposition’s attack. Their unbeaten partnership of 73 runs off just 33 balls propelled Sri Lanka to a commanding total of 206 runs on the scoreboard.

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The Bangladesh bowlers endured a tough outing, with Shoriful Islam claiming one wicket but conceding 47 runs. Taskin Ahmad managed to secure a wicket as well, while Rishad Hossain also contributed with a dismissal. However, Bangladesh faced a challenging start in their chase, losing early wickets and feeling the pressure.

Angelo Mathews emerged as the standout performer among the bowlers in the game, having picked up two crucial wickets. Matheesha Pathirana and Binura Fernando also made valuable contributions, each chipping in with one wicket apiece.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board is set to request clarification from Allan Donald regarding his recent comments about Shakib Al Hasan’s timed out appeal against Angelo Mathews during their match against Sri Lanka at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on November 6. Mathews became the first international cricketer in history to be timed out in that match.

Shakib Al Hasan faced substantial criticism from various quarters for his actions, with Allan Donald expressing his disapproval as well. Donald found it disheartening to witness such conduct on the cricket field and noted a clear sense of discontent in Shakib’s demeanor when discussing the incident.

Controversial Timed Out Decision and Allan Donald’s Response

“It was disappointing to see. I can understand Shakib taking his chance. His words were ‘I was doing everything to win.’ You can sense in my voice that I don’t like it. My immediate reaction when that happened – and this is just my instincts taking over – is I almost actually thought of going onto the field and saying, ‘enough is enough, we don’t stand for this; we are not that kind of team who stand for this.’ That was my immediate thought,” Donald mentioned during an interview with CricBlog.Net.

BCB officials have acknowledged Allan Donald’s comments and stated their intention to seek clarification promptly. They emphasized their commitment to avoiding distractions for the team leading up to their crucial match against Australia. “We have seen the news quoting Donald, and we are taking that seriously. We will certainly seek an explanation in the coming days.”

This memorable incident occurred in the 25th over of the Sri Lankan innings after Sadeera Samarawickrama’s dismissal. Angelo Mathews, upon reaching the crease alongside Charith Asalanka, encountered a broken helmet strap and immediately signaled to his teammates in the dugout for a replacement helmet.

As the substitute brought the correct helmet, the umpires expressed their dissatisfaction with the proceedings. Bangladesh’s captain wasted no time in appealing for a ‘timed out’ dismissal. Despite Mathews’ efforts to explain the situation to both Shakib and the umpires, Bangladesh upheld their appeal, resulting in the rare instance of a timed out dismissal in the match.

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Angelo Mathews made history in the ODI World Cup 2023 when he became the first batter in international cricket to be declared ‘timed out’ during a match against Bangladesh. The former Sri Lanka captain has shared screenshots of video evidence to contest the umpires’ decision that led to this milestone dismissal. This pivotal moment occurred in a significant clash between two Asian cricket nations, with Bangladesh emerging victorious by three wickets.

For those unfamiliar with the incident, Angelo Mathews was deemed ‘timed out’ at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi due to an unexpected delay caused by a helmet strap issue.

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This delay prevented him from reaching the popping crease within the stipulated time frame to take strike. When the 36-year-old was finally ready to face his first ball in the innings after the dismissal of Sadeera Samarawickrama, the Bangladesh captain, Shakib Al Hasan, had already appealed to the on-field umpires, resulting in the ‘timed out’ decision.

Mathews’ Timed Out Controversy: Video Evidence and Rule Interpretation

It’s worth noting that as per ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 rule number 40.1.1, “After the fall of a wicket or the retirement of a batter, the incoming batter must, unless Time has been called, be ready to receive the ball, or for the other batter to be ready to receive the next ball within 2 minutes of the dismissal or retirement. If this requirement is not met, the incoming batter will be out, Timed out.”

During the mid-innings break, the fourth umpire of the match, Adrian Holdstock, discussed the ‘timed out’ dismissal of Angelo Mathews, noting, “This afternoon, the batter wasn’t ready to receive the ball within those two minutes even before the strap, which became an issue for him.”

In response to this, Angelo Mathews took to his official account to counter the fourth umpire’s decision. In his first post on the matter, he stated, “The 4th umpire is wrong here! Video evidence shows I still had 5 more seconds even after the helmet gave way! Can the 4th umpire rectify this, please? I mean safety is paramount as I just couldn’t face the bowler without a helmet.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 12th Khiladi Cricket (@12thkhiladi_cricket)

In a subsequent post, he shared screenshots of the video evidence, saying, “Proof! From the time the catch was taken to the time the helmet strap came off.” According to the timestamps on the screenshot, Sadeera Samarawickrama was out at 15:48:50:16 hours, while Angelo Mathews made his way to the playing field at 15:50:45:14 hours, a difference of roughly around 1 minute and 55 seconds, as per the calculations of the all-round cricketer.

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In a stunning twist of events during the ODI World Cup 2023 clash between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, Angelo Mathews, the seasoned Sri Lankan cricketer, etched his name in history as the first player in international cricket to be penalized with a ‘timed out’ dismissal. This unprecedented occurrence unfolded during a pivotal moment in the match.

An Unusual Turn of Events in the Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Match

The incident unfolded during the 25th over of the Sri Lankan innings, shortly after Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan dismissed Sadeera Samarawickrama, who had amassed 41 runs off 42 deliveries. Initially, Mathews hesitated to take his position on the field and then further delayed his entry due to a damaged component on his helmet.

In light of these delays, the on-field umpires made a historic decision to invoke the ‘timed out’ rule, in accordance with the laws of the game.

Understanding the MCC Rule on ‘Time-Out’

According to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) rulebook, “After the fall of a wicket or the retirement of a batter, the incoming batter must, unless Time has been called, be ready to receive the ball, or for the other batter to be ready to receive the next ball within 3 minutes of the dismissal or retirement. If this requirement is not met, the incoming batter will be out, Timed out.”

This groundbreaking decision has triggered conversations within the cricketing community. ‘Timed out’ dismissals are exceedingly rare in international cricket, and this ruling underscores the significance of players adhering to the game’s time restrictions. It emphasizes the need for strict adherence to the rules to preserve the integrity and fluidity of the match.

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