One of the stars of Sri Lanka's spin bowling in recent years, Rangana Herath has announced his retirement from T20I and ODI formats of the game. The decision from the 38-year-old came on Sunday.
Herath, who was a part of the Asia Cup T20 and the ICC World T20 earlier this year, has, however, mentioned that he will continue playing Test Cricket.
"Every cricketer has to stop at the right time, I feel it's time to make room for fresh talent to be groomed with the 2019 World Cup in view," the left-arm orthodox spinner wrote in a letter to Sri Lanka Cricket.
"In the next eight months or so, we're scheduled to play something like 12 Test matches," Herath was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo. "I think retiring from the shorter formats is the right move, because that will allow young players to be groomed for the next World Cup, as well as lowering my workload and letting me concentrate on Tests."
The veteran spinner made his debut way back in 2004, before playing T20I for the first time for the Lankan Lions in 2011.
"Sri Lanka Cricket wishes Mr. Herath nothing but the best as he continues to play cricket in his chosen discipline, and in all future endeavours," the cricket board of Sri Lanka mentioned in a statement.
