With a career spanning over a decade, Mohammad Mahmudullah Riyad has left an indelible mark on the cricketing landscape. From thrilling victories to unforgettable moments, his journey sums up the essence of dedication and determination. In a nutshell, Mahmudullah Riyad's international cricket career has been nothing short of extraordinary. Rising from the cricketing heartland of Bangladesh, Riyad's journey has been defined by perseverance and excellence. Over the years, he has showcased his courage with bat and ball, contributing significantly to Bangladesh's cricketing triumphs. A seasoned all-rounder, Riyad has displayed his versatility in both Test and limited-over formats.

Mahmudullah’s Beginning in International Cricket

Mahmudullah received his maiden call-up to the Bangladesh ODI squad during their tour of Sri Lanka in July 2007. Marking his debut in the third ODI of the series, he emerged as Bangladesh's second-highest run-scorer with 36 runs and also proved his bowling prowess by taking 2 wickets. However, Sri Lanka emerged victorious with a 39-run margin.

Following his initial performance, Mahmudullah's talents earned him spots in Bangladesh's lineups for various tournaments. He found a place in the squad for the Quadrangular Series held in Kenya in 2007, as well as for the 2007 T20 World Championship.

Turning the pages to his Test career, Mahmudullah made his Test debut on July 9, 2009 against the West Indies. While his batting performance might not have been impressive, he put his name in the record books by delivering the finest test bowling figures by a Bangladeshi debutant. His eight-wicket haul, which included a notable five-wicket haul in the second innings, played a crucial role in Bangladesh's historic second Test victory – their first on foreign soil.

Read more: Asia Cup 2023: Analysis of Bangladesh ODI Squad

Overview of Mahmudullah’s ODI Records in International Cricket

ODI Batting Record

Table: ODI Batting Records of Mahmudullah

Matches	Innings	Runs	Highest Score	Average	Century	Fifty	Strike rate
218	190	4950	128*	35.35	3	27	76.17

With a good track record of playing 218 matches and 190 innings, he has scored a total of 4950 runs. His highest score of 128 highlights his ability to play match-winning knocks when needed. Maintaining an average of 35.35, Mahmudullah has shown his reliability as a dependable middle-order batsman and become a ‘silent killer’ for any team. His three centuries and twenty-seven half-centuries reflect his skill to not only build innings but also accelerate when the situation demands. Further, the strike rate of 76.17 highlights his balanced approach, ensuring he contributes effectively in various game scenarios.

2015 World Cup

On March 9, 2015, during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, Mahmudullah achieved a significant milestone for Bangladesh. Facing England, he became the first Bangladeshi batsman to record a century in the history of the World Cup. This remarkable performance contributed to Bangladesh's victory in the match, taking them into the quarterfinals of the tournament.

Continuing his impressive form, he secured yet another century in the subsequent match on March 13, this time against New Zealand. Despite his strong performance, New Zealand emerged victorious with a 3-wicket win.

Throughout the course of the World Cup, spanning six matches, he scored a total of 365 runs at an impressive average of 73.00. His consistent batting display made him one of the highest run-scorers for Bangladesh in that particular World Cup edition.

Read more: Has Mahmudullah's international career in cricket come to an end?

ODI Bowling Record

Table: ODI Bowling Records of Mahmudullah

Matches	Innings	Overs	Maidens	Wickets	Best Bowling	Econ
218	146	712.1	14	82	3/4	5.21

With his appearance in 218 matches and 146 innings, Mahmudullah has bowled a total of 712.1 overs. In his 16 years of cricket career, he has secured 82 wickets, with his best bowling figures of 3 wickets for 4 runs illustrating his ability to make crucial breakthroughs. Mahmudullah has maintained an economy rate of 5.21, emphasizing his role in maintaining pressure on the opposition. Mahmudullah's ODI bowling performance demonstrates his role as a proficient all-rounder, contributing with both the bat and the ball.

Mahmudullah’s International Test Records at a Glance

Mahmudullah’s Test Batting Records

Table: Test Batting Records of Mahmudullah

Matches	Innings	Runs	Highest Score	Average	Century	Fifty	Strike rate
50	94	2914	150*	33.49	5	16	53.4

Throughout his 50 matches and 94 innings, he has 2914 runs in total, demonstrating his skills in stabilizing innings and building substantial team totals. Boasting an average of 33.49, Mahmudullah's contributions have been significant in Bangladesh's batting middle order. With five centuries and sixteen half-centuries, he has consistently stepped up during crucial needs. His highest score on tests was 150, and overall, he has a 53.4 strike rate. He retired from test cricket in 2021 after his 50th match, scoring an unbeaten 150 runs, his career best.

Read more: Bangladesh's Asia Cup Squad: Mahmudullah left out; young opener Tanzid secures spot

Mahmudullah’s Test Bowling Records

Table: Test Bowling Records of Mahmudullah

Matches	Innings	Overs	Maidens	Wickets	Best Bowling	Econ
50	66	570.3	56	43	5/51	3.43

In his 50 test matches, Mahmudullah bowled 570.3 overs and got 43 wickets. His best bowling figure was 5/51. The overall econ rate is 3.43.

Overview of Mahmudullah’s T20I Records

Table: T20 Batting and Bowling Records of Mahmudullah

Matches	Runs	Highest Score	Bat Avg	Wickets	Best Bowling	Bowl Avg
121	2122	64*	23.57	38	3/10	26.63

Mahmudullah's impact in the T20 arena is a witness to his flexibility as both a batsman and a bowler. With 121 matches, he has shown his dynamic skill set with a total of 2122 runs and 64 highest scores. Sporting a batting average of 23.57, Mahmudullah's contributions with the bat have been important in the middle order. On the bowling front, he has proven his worth by taking 38 wickets, with his best bowling figures of 3/10 showcasing his ability for breakthroughs.

Read more: Shakib chosen as ODI Captain of Bangladesh

Records and Achievements of Mohammad Mahmudullah Riyad

In September 2021, following Bangladesh’s victory in the 2nd T20I match against New Zealand, Mahmudullah achieved the distinction of being the most successful captain for Bangladesh in T20Is, with a total of 12 wins. This achievement pushed him past Mashrafe Bin Mortaza’s previous record.

Mahmudullah has a rare record in Test cricket. He shares this exclusive accolade with New Zealand's John Richard Reid as one of only two cricketers who have accomplished the rare feat of scoring a century, capturing a five-wicket haul, and executing a stumping in Test cricket.

Final Words

Beyond the numbers and statistics, there lies a tale of flexibility that has made Mohammad Mahmudullah Riyad a true role model. Over the years, he has shown his ability to perform under pressure, often emerging as a reliable all-rounder who could contribute with both bat and ball when his team needed it the most.

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