Imrul Kayes officially announced his retirement from Test and first-class cricket, expressing no regrets as he concluded his red-ball career.
Despite stepping away from the longer format, the left-handed batsman will continue to play white-ball cricket, including Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Dhaka Premier League (DPL), and T20 matches in the National Cricket League (NCL).
Reflecting on his Test career, Kayes mentioned the difficulties he faced due to the uncertainty of selection. "It was tough not knowing if I would be part of the next match or series," he said. However, he emphasized leaving without regrets and looking forward to enjoying the rest of his cricket journey. "I aim to perform well in the upcoming white-ball formats and enjoy my cricket."
In his farewell match at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Kayes' team, Khulna, suffered a nine-wicket defeat to Dhaka, concluding his first-class career on a somber note. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) honored him with a crest in recognition of his contributions to the sport.
Kayes' Test career, spanning from 2008 to 2019, saw him play 39 matches, scoring 1,797 runs at an average of 24.28, with a highest score of 150. He recorded three centuries and four half-centuries. Despite often being in and out of the national team, he chose not to dwell on missed opportunities or inconsistent selection. "It was all destined, and there is no point in talking about it now. I never claimed to be perfect, but perhaps more consistent performances could have led to more chances," Kayes reflected.
He made his debut against South Africa in 2008 and played his final Test against India in 2019 at Eden Gardens, where Bangladesh suffered an innings defeat. Kayes admitted that he never imagined reaching this point when he began his first-class career in 2006.
In addition to his Test statistics, Kayes has impressive achievements in white-ball cricket. He has scored 2,434 runs in 78 ODIs, averaging 32.02, with four centuries and 16 fifties. In T20 Internationals, he accumulated 119 runs from 14 matches. His first-class career includes 7,930 runs in 137 matches, with 20 centuries and 27 half-centuries at an average of 33.74.
Looking forward, Kayes plans to spend more time in Australia, where his family currently resides. "I live in Australia most of the time now and play Premier Division cricket there. I am also planning to establish a coaching academy," he shared. Representing Bangladesh in Test cricket remains the most cherished chapter of his life, regardless of the ups and downs he experienced.
