Former Nepal skipper Gyanendra Malla has announced his retirement from International cricket. He took a press conference to announce his decision on Friday, August 4. The right-handed batter also shared a message for his fans on social media. Having represented Nepal for almost a decade, he played 37 ODIs and 45 T20I matches.
Gyanendra Malla represented Nepal at the 2006 and the 2008 Under-19 World Cups. He made his International debut in a T20 match in 2014 against Hong Kong. Later in August 2018, he played in Nepal’s first-ever ODI match, which was against the Netherlands. He scored a fifty in the match, becoming the first to score an ODI half-century for Nepal.
Malla has scored 876 ODI runs, with seven fifties and 883 T20I runs at an average of 23.23 including a century. He also led Nepal in 10 ODI matches, out of which, they won six. He has won nine matches as a captain for Nepal in T20Is. At the age of 32, Gyanendra Malla decided to call it a day. He took to Twitter to share a message with his fans. He wrote,
“With a heavy but deeply grateful heart, I feel it is now the right time to announce my leave from International Cricket.”
“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 colours that symbolized a nation’s hopes and dreams,” he added.
धन्यवाद। Thank you! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/IUqd9E5Idv
— Gyanendra Malla (@gyanu_gm11) August 4, 2023
Through the highs and lows, your unwavering support held me steady: Gyanendra Malla thanks his supporters in a heartwarming message
Gyanendra Malla thanked his teammates and the coaches who helped him in his cricketing journey. He expressed that they have been instrumental in shaping his career. He also thanked the fans, who boosted his confidence on the field and kept him going. In his statement on Twitter, Gyanendra Malla wrote,
“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.”
“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.
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