Gyanendra Malla announces international retirement

Kathmandu: Former Nepal captain Gyanendra Malla shared a heartfelt message to call time on his nine-year-long international career.Gyanendra Malla announced his decision to retire from international cricket after representing Nepal in 37 ODIs and 45 T20Is.

The right-hand top-order batter made his debut during the 2014 ICC Men's T20 World Cup against Hong Kong and retires as Nepal's third-highest run-getter across formats, an ICC report on Saturday said.

"With a heavy but deeply grateful heart, I feel it is now the right time to announce my leave from International Cricket," Malla posted on social media.

"This sacred game, that has been the essence of my existence - from playing locally to playing at the National level - has taught me invaluable lessons about life, determination, and the power of unity. With every stride on the pitch, I felt the pride of representing my country, donning the cherished colors that symbolized a nation's hopes and dreams," he said.

"To my teammates, thank you for being more than just colleagues; you became my family, and together we forged an unbreakable bond. To my coaches and support staff, your guidance and belief in me have been instrumental in shaping my career. And to my supporters, your cheers echoed in my heart, fueling my spirit on the field. Through the highs and lows, your unwavering support held me steady," Malla said.

"This isn't a farewell; it's a new chapter in my journey. A journey where I will continue to be a staunch supporter of the sport, a witness to its evolution, and a proud flag-bearer of the country I love dearly,"he added.

Across both white-ball formats, Malla aggregated 1759 runs in 82 matches at an average of 23.77. The 32-year-old is one of the only four centurions in T20Is for Nepal, with his innings of 107 off 55 balls coming against Bhutan in 2019. He's still only second to Dipendra Singh Airee for the highest individual score for Nepal in the shortest format.

He was also the captain of Nepal between 2019 and 2021, leading the side to 15 wins in 22 games.Malla's last game for Nepal was at the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe against Ireland, which the latter won in a thrilling final-over contest.(UNI)