Veteran all-rounder Mahmudullah Riyad has announced that he will retire from T20I cricket after the end of the three-match series against India.

“I'm retiring from T20I cricket after the last game of this series. Actually I was pre-decided before coming here. I had talked with my family, captain and coach. And with the selector and the board president as well that I'm retiring from this format,” he said at the pre-match press conference in Delhi on Tuesday ahead of the second T20I.

“I think it's the right time to move on from this format and try to focus on the ODIs that's coming ahead. I think going forward, it is the right time for me and the team as well to look forward to the next world cup. I think this is the right time to call.”

He said, “Actually when I was practicing for this series, I started thinking about this [retirement]. I talked with my family too. They thought probably it's not the right time. But I thought this is the right time. I tried to make them understand. Then I talked with the selector and board president, and then with the captain and coach. And they all respected my decision.”