End of an Era: Angelo Mathews to Retire from International Cricket After Galle Test

After a remarkable international career spanning over two decades, veteran Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews is set to bid farewell to international cricket. The upcoming first Test against Bangladesh at the Galle International Stadium will mark the final chapter of his national team journey. Ahead of the match, Mathews addressed the media in an emotional press conference, reflecting on his career, future plans, and most cherished memories.

When reminded of the controversial 'timed out' dismissal against Bangladesh during the 2023 World Cup — a first in cricket history — Mathews responded with a smile:

“That was an unfortunate incident. But I have nothing against the Bangladesh team. We’ve shared great relations over the years. I’ve played against many of them in both international and domestic cricket, and we’ve always been good friends.”

Explaining his decision to retire, the 37-year-old said the timing felt right:

“I started in age-level cricket back in 2004. A lot has changed since then. My performances in the last 7–8 matches haven’t met expectations. There are some outstanding youngsters coming through. I believe this is the right time to step aside.”

Mathews remains optimistic about the future of Sri Lankan cricket:

“The team environment is fantastic — juniors and seniors respect and support one another. We’ve seen results as well. We were in contention for the WTC final and are making progress in ODIs and T20s too. I see a very bright future.”

His fondest cricketing memory, unsurprisingly, is Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup victory in 2014, which came on Bangladeshi soil:

“Winning the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in 2014 was incredibly special. The win against Australia in 2016 also stands out.”

When asked about his personal heroes, Mathews grew visibly emotional:

“My heroes are my parents. They’ve sacrificed so much for me and taught me the most about life. I owe everything to them.”

Though he avoided commenting directly on his relationship with Shakib Al Hasan, Mathews emphasized camaraderie beyond the boundary:

“Whatever happens on the field, off the field, we are all friends. That bond has always been there — and still is.”

With the conclusion of the Galle Test, one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic cricketing careers will come to an end. However, Mathews’ influence, leadership, and legacy are certain to resonate in the dressing room for years to come.