• Sri Lanka legend retires as third-highest Test run-scorer for the nation

• Mathews finishes career with 8,214 runs, 16 centuries, and unmatched legacy

In a moment charged with emotion and legacy, Angelo Mathews walked off the Test arena for the final time, closing the curtain on a glittering 16-year career that defined a generation of Sri Lankan cricket. The 37-year-old was dismissed for 8 runs in the second innings of the Test against Bangladesh, bringing an end to one of the most influential careers in Sri Lanka's red-ball history.

The veteran all-rounder, playing in his 119th and final Test, was undone by a delivery from Nayeem Hasan that clipped his inside edge and pad before looping to Mominul Haque at silly point. As the ball nestled into Mominul’s hands, Galle fell silent. What followed was an unforgettable tribute, the Bangladeshi players joined in solidarity to shake hands, while Mathews exited to the applause of thousands, his name etched eternally in Sri Lankan cricket’s pantheon.

Mathews retires as Sri Lanka’s third-highest run-getter in Test cricket, behind only giants Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. His career tally of 8,214 runs at an average of 44.4 includes 16 centuries and 45 half-centuries. More than just statistics, it was his calm presence in crisis, his unwavering technique, and his quiet leadership that made him indispensable.

Handed the Test captaincy in 2013, Mathews became the youngest Sri Lankan to assume the role. Under his stewardship, the team recorded historic overseas wins, including a memorable series victory in England. At home, he was a colossus with 4,336 Test runs in Sri Lanka, the most by any Lankan, even surpassing the likes of Virat Kohli in home form comparisons. His 2,253 runs at Galle alone make him the fourth-highest scorer at a single venue globally.

Beyond the numbers, Mathews’ legacy lies in his resilience. Through injury battles and team transitions, he remained Sri Lanka’s most bankable cricketer. His 90 sixes in Tests remain a national record, showcasing his ability to blend grace with power.

On Day 1, Mathews was honoured with a guard of honour, a fitting tribute at the very ground where he had played his 100th Test. On Day 5, as he took that final walk back to the pavilion, Sri Lanka didn’t just bid goodbye to a player, it saluted a statesman of the game.

Angelo Mathews may have played his last Test, but his imprint on Sri Lankan cricket will endure for decades to come.