2025 witnessed another retirement in cricket; another legend said goodbye to the longest format of the game. Angelo Mathews, currently playing against Bangladesh in the first Test match of a 2-match series, will hang up his boots after the conclusion of the match in Galle International Stadium.

Before his last Test match for Sri Lanka, the moments he had experienced over the past few hours and days were truly emotional and unforgettable for a player like Mathews, whose international career spanned over 15 years. During the pre-match press conference, the cornerstone of Sri Lanka cricket was emotional and recalled those days when he was new in the dressing room.

"I played my 100th Test in Galle, so I thought I'd say goodbye in Galle. But the main reason was because we don't have any games coming up, at least for now. After this, we'll be having our next assignment in Test cricket after a year's time; that is a very long wait," Angelo Mathews said.

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A grand tribute for Angelo Mathews 

Sri Lanka will play only four Tests in 2025. That's why he chose this match as his retirement stage. The 38-year-old all-rounder debuted for team Sri Lanka back in 2009, and since then he has gotten 8,167 runs and 33 wickets in 118 tests. Mathews reached the 100-Tests milestone in 2022 and became the 12th man to be dismissed for 199 in a Test in the process.

In his last match, the legend of the format received a guard of honor on the field and a special memento as well. Sri Lanka Cricket said on a social media post, "A beautiful tribute to a cricketing icon. Before his final Test, Angelo Mathews was honored in a special ceremony on the hallowed grounds of Galle, joined by his proud family. 

Watch the farewell here

Angelo Mathews Farewell Test: Special Felicitation Ceremony | https://t.co/ltzj4zWmWc #ThankYouAngelo

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) June 17, 2025