Sri Lanka batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa has announced his decision to officially retire from international cricket with immediate effect after he had handed over his retirement letter to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

On Tuesday, ICC announced that Rajapaksa, who played 5 One-Day Internationals and 18 T20 Internationals for Sri Lanka and has scored 89 and 320 runs at an average of 17.8 and 26.67 respectively, cited family obligations to retire from international cricket. 

“I have very carefully considered my position as a player, husband and am taking this decision looking forward to fatherhood and associated familial obligations,” he said in his letter of resignation to SLC, ICC said.

He was part of Sri Lanka's ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 squad, where he finished as the third-highest run-scorer for the Lions in the tournament with 155 runs in eight matches.  

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Earlier it was reported by NewsWire, that the left-hander felt that he will not be able to play his attacking game with the bat if he brings his skinfold levels down, as the SLC has lowered the skin-fold test levels to 70 from 85.

In 2021, the 2 km run test was introduced by the SLC, replacing the yo-yo test, to determine the fitness and endurance levels of the players. The benchmark set for the 2km run was lowered to 8.35 minutes from 8.55 minutes on a request made by the Cricket Technical Advisory Committee.

However, SLC selectors now want the Sri Lankan players to perform the 2km run within the expected benchmark of 8.10 minutes to pass the fitness test.

Notably, Rajapaksa has played 5 One-Day Internationals and 18 T20 Internationals for Sri Lanka and has scored 89 and 320 runs at an average of 17.8 and 26.67 respectively.

(With ICC Inputs)