There comes a breaking news from the Cricket Association of Nepal. The former Nepal Captain, Gyanendra Malla has announced his retirement from international cricket. Malla took to Twitter to announce his decision of calling time on his illustrious career span.
With a heavy heart, Malla announced his retirement. He tweeted,
“With profound gratitude, I have come to the decision to step away from International Cricket, a sport that has been an integral part of my life’s journey – from humble beginnings in local matches to representing my nation at the highest level. The game has bestowed upon me invaluable life lessons, resilience, and the strength of unity. Every moment on the field filled me with immense pride, knowing I carried the hopes and dreams of my country, adorned in its revered colors.
To my fellow teammates, you have been more than mere colleagues; you have become my family, and together, we have woven an unbreakable bond. To the coaches and support staff, your guidance and unwavering belief in my abilities have shaped my career profoundly. And to my devoted supporters, your cheers have reverberated in my heart, motivating and sustaining me through every triumph and challenge.
This is not a farewell; rather, it marks the beginning of a new chapter in my journey. A chapter where I will continue to be an ardent supporter of the sport, an observer of its growth, and a proud ambassador of the nation I hold dear to my heart.”
A Glimpse of Gyanendra Malla Career Stint at the time of his retirement
Gyanendra Malla has achieved laurels of success during his career stint with Nepal. He has played in 37 ODIs & 45 T20Is throughout his career span. Whether in ODIs or T20Is Malla has maintained his prowess in the format. He has scored 876 runs in ODI with seven half-centuries in his kitty. His gleaming 75-run knock against Namibia in 2022 is his standout performance in the ODI format.
Whereas in T20is he has amassed 88 runs at a strike rate of 120.29 with one ton & two fifties in his kitty. His 107 score against Bhutan in 2019 is the second-highest individual score by any Nepal batsman in T20is. Not only that Malla has led Nepal in ten ODIs out of which they have won six T20Is. While in the T20I format, he has led Nepal in 12 matches out of which they have won 9 matches. One of his best ODI performances came during an ODI fixture in July 2023 at Takashinga Sports Club, Harare Zimbabwe where he returned with 7 runs off 13 balls. While his last t20I fixture was against Oman during their series in february 2022.
Malla was also a part of Nepal’s glorious historic moments where he was a part of Nepal’s 80-run win against Hong Kong. The victory came in their opening clash of the T20 World Cup 2014 edition. Notably, Malla was also the first player to score an ODI century for Nepal against the Netherlands in 2018 which was Nepal’s maiden appearance in the ODI format.
Gyanendra Malla has represented Nepal in two U19 World Cups during the 2006 & 2008 editions. In the 2006 edition, he returned with scores of 46 in the Plate semi-final helping Nepal beat South Africa by two runs. Just two days after that Nepal defeated New Zealand by one wicket in the Plate finals. Malla’s contribution to Nepal Cricket Team is irreplaceable & we the team will recognize him for his efforts & scintillating performances.
Sportsermon wishes Gyanendra Malla best of luck in his future endeavors!
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