Sri Lankan cricketer, Mahela Jayawardene announced on Monday that he would retire from Test cricket after the Pakistan series in August.
Jayawardene, who made his debut against India in 1997, said it was not an easy decision but ultimately he felt that it was the right time to go.
Jayawardene, with 11,493 runs, holds the sixth position in highest run-scorers in Test cricket. He has played 145 Tests and averages just over 50 with 33 centuries.
The right-handed batsman retired from Twenty20 internationals this April but still plays one-day international cricket.
Chief cricket selector and former team-mate Sanath Jayasuriya said that Jayawardene wants to focus on the next World Cup and he respects his decision.
Jayasuriya added that by stepping down from the Test squad Jayawardene is also making way for a younger player to come in, and they thank him for all he has done for cricket in the country.