Nepal's Gyanendra Malla Retires From International Cricket

Former Nepal skipper Gyanendra Malla on Friday (4th August) announced his retirement from international cricket. He stated that this won’t be a farewell for him as he will start a new chapter as a staunch supporter of the sport.

Gyanendra Malla has been one of the finest to have played for Nepal as he was part of some of the famous victories of the team. The right-hander will be played 37 ODIs and 45 T20Is in his career and was a fine servant for the national team.

Gyanendra Malla mustered 876 runs in ODIs with the best of 75 that came against Namibia in 2022. His best came in the shortest format of the game, where he amassed 883 runs at a strike rate of 120.29, scoring one century and two fifties. His T20I ton came against Bhutan in 2019.

Gyanendra Malla talked about his retirement on his Twitter account, saying that the game has been the essence of his existence. He also went on to thank all those who supported him in his journey. 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 colors that symbolized a nation’s hopes and dreams.

“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 – Gyanendra Malla

Gyanendra Malla further went on to say that he will be a proud flag-bearer of the country and will continue supporting the team. He remarked:

“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.”

Gyanendra Malla had a decent record as skipper of the Nepal team as well. He captained the team in 10 ODIs, winning 6 out of them whereas in the 12 T20Is, he won 9 as a captain of the team.