Mushfiqur Rahim- Bangladesh’s top player, announces his retirement from T20Is
Mushfiqur Rahim, the former captain of Bangladesh, announced his retirement from Twenty20 international cricket on Sunday, three days after the team’s humiliating loss from the Asia Cup.
I would like to announce my retirement from T20 INTERNATIONALS and focus on Test and ODI formats of the game. I will be available to play franchise leagues when the opportunity arrives. Looking forward to proudly represent my nation in the two formats-MR15
— Mushfiqur Rahim (@mushfiqur15) September 4, 2022
Mushfiqur Rahim has been the attention of the national media following his underwhelming performance in both of Bangladesh’s Asia Cup 2022 losses. While he did not score against Afghanistan, Rahim was heavily chastised for missing a sitter against Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis, which had a significant effect on the game’s outcome. Mushfiqur released the statement after Bangladesh lost the Group B matches against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates, in which he contributed only five runs.
Rahim explained the retirement through a Facebook post. “I have been grateful to have you all beside me throughout my long career. Your support has been my inspiration during my highs and lows. Today, I am announcing my retirement from T20 Internationals.”
“I will proudly continue to represent Bangladesh in Test and ODI formats. I am hopeful that I can bring success for our nation in these two formats,” the post read. “I will continue to take part in Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and other franchise tournaments. Alhamdulillah. Thank you all. Allah Hafez,” he added.
Since the T20 World Cup last year, Bangladesh has won only two of 12 matches in the shortest format.
Mushfiqur leaves the format after 102 matches in which he scored 1500 runs, including six fifties and a best score of 72*. After a spectacular 2018 in the shortest format in which he scored 397 runs at an average of 30.53 while striking at 132.33, the Bangladesh mainstay has seemed out of sorts in the years afterwards.
He captained Bangladesh in 23 of those matches, guiding them to eight victories. After Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur is the second senior Bangladeshi cricketer to retire from Twenty20s in recent months.
The loss of seasoned Rahim leaves a major vacuum in Bangladesh’s middle-order as the country prepares for the T20 World Cup in Australia. Shakib Al Hasan, who was just recently chosen T20I captain, would face a difficult assignment in finding a player to fill the veteran’s shoes on such short notice.
