Imrul Kayes retires from Tests, first-class cricket

Former Bangladesh opener Imrul Kayes has announced his retirement from Test cricket as well as first class cricket through a video message on his social media handles on Wednesday afternoon.

The 1,29-minute-long video was accompanied with  a caption reading, "Goodbye Test cricket. Grateful for the love." 

Having made his debut in 2008 in ODIs, Imrul was quickly drafted into Bangladesh Test team and represented the nation for 11 years. His last Test was against India in Kolkata in 2019, which happens to be the last time Imrul represented Bangladesh in any format. 

The 37-year-old batter had played in 39 Test matches, scoring 1797 runs at an average of 24.28 with a highest score of 150, a fine knock against Pakistan in his hometown of Khulna alongside his long-time opening partner Tamim Iqbal who scored a double century in that innings. 

He will sign off from first-class cricket with a match for Khulna Division, starting on November 16. 

The batter from Khulna has played 137 first-class matches, scoring 7930 runs at an average of 34. with 20 centuries and 27 half-centuries.

"I am going to announce the end of my Test cricket career on November 16. I'm also going to end my first class cricket career. It is one of the most difficult and emotional moments in my 17-year career," Imrul said in the video message.