DHAKA: Mahela Jayawardene will retire from Test cricket at the conclusion of the series against Pakistan in August, Sri Lanka Cricket has announced.

He will be available for ODI cricket only, after having retired from T20 internationals in April this year, reports ESPNcricinfo.

Jayawardene, 37, has been a cornerstone of the Sri Lanka batting order since his debut against India in 1997, and has amassed 11493 Test runs in his career, which is currently joint-highest for a Sri Lanka batsman alongside Kumar Sangakkara.

He has played 145 Tests, and if fit and selected, will finish on 149, at the P Sara Oval match which begins on August 14.

Jayawardene hits 33 hundreds and 48 fifties in 244 innings.

"It was not an easy decision to make given that it has been a great privilege and honor representing my country during the past 18 years," Jayawardene said.

"But I believe this is the right time."

Jayawardene has been in good Test-match form in 2014, averaging 75.77 in his six most recent matches.

But with no home Tests scheduled for almost a year, and only two Tests in New Zealand remaining before the 2015 World Cup, he had alerted chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya of his wish to walk away from the longest format.

"He called me and said that he wants to play four more matches and retire from Test cricket, concentrating on ODI cricket until the World Cup," Jayasuriya said.

"I think he is the best person to judge that. He has given outstanding service to Sri Lankan cricket, and is now giving a youngster a chance to come in and play Test cricket."

Jayawardene also led the Sri Lanka team from 2006 to 2009, and again for 12 months from early 2012 to 2013.

BDST: 1922 HRS, JUL 14, 2014