Mushfiqur Rahim retires from ODIs
Former Bangladesh captain and wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim on Wednesday announced his retirement from One Day Internationals (ODIs) following the team's early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy, hosted by Pakistan and the UAE.
The veteran cricketer took to social media to announce his departure from the fifty-over format.
"I am announcing my retirement from the ODI format as of today. Alhamdulillah for everything. While our achievements may have been limited on a global level, one thing is certain: whenever I stepped onto the field for my country, I gave more than 100% with dedication and honesty," Mushfiqur posted on his official Facebook page.
"The last few weeks have been very challenging for me, and I have come to realize that this is my destiny. Allah says in the Quran: Wa tu'izzu man tasha' wa tu'zhilu man tasha' [And He honors whom He wills, and He disgraces whom He wills] (3:26). May Almighty Allah forgive us and grant righteous Iman to all," he added.
He expressed gratitude to those who supported him throughout his career.
"Lastly, I would like to deeply thank my family, friends, and fans, for whom I have played cricket for the last 19 years," the statement concluded.
It is pertinent to mention that the 37-year-old made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe in August 2006. He retires as Bangladesh's most-capped player in the format, having played 274 matches.
Over his illustrious career, he scored 7,795 runs at an average of 36.42, including nine centuries, with a career-best score of 144. As a wicketkeeper, he took 243 catches and effected 56 stumpings.
Widely regarded as a giant in Bangladesh's ODI history, Mushfiqur Rahim first made his mark in the 2007 World Cup when he was picked ahead of veteran wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud.
He immediately justified the selectors' faith, scoring a crucial fifty in Bangladesh's famous victory over India in Trinidad.
Mushfiqur soon established himself as a mainstay in the middle order, and except for a brief spell in 2008 when he lost his place, he remained a constant presence in the Bangladesh lineup for nearly two decades.
He had previously retired from T20Is following the 2022 T20 World Cup. In Test cricket, he has played 94 matches so far and is on track to become the first Bangladeshi cricketer to reach the 100-Test milestone.
Series against Pak
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Faruque Ahmed on Wednesday, confirmed that they are exploring the possibility of holding a white-ball series with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) apart from the Future Tour Programme (FTP).
According to the details, BCB's Ahmed was among the cricket board representatives invited by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi to watch the ongoing second semi-final of the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 between New Zealand and South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium here.
During his visit, Ahmed discussed the plan of holding a white-ball series, comprised of three ODIs and as many T20Is, with Naqvi.
"I would like to thank PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi for inviting me," said Ahmed, while talking to the media here on Wednesday.
"There has been a discussion between the two boards to hold white ball series apart from FTP. The boards are in talks to schedule the series," he added.
PCB chairman Naqvi welcomed Ahmed to Pakistan and lauded the BCB's support in hosting the Champions Trophy 2025.
He further confirmed that the two cricket boards have been in discussion regarding the series for the last few weeks.
"I would like to welcome Faruque Ahmed on the occasion of the semi-final in Lahore. I thank Faruque Ahmed and BCB for their support in organizing the Champions Trophy," said Naqvi.
"The two boards have been discussing a mutual series for the past few weeks and the progress will be made in this regard soon," he added.
For the unversed, Bangladesh are already scheduled to tour Pakistan at the end of May for a three-match each ODI and T20I series as part of the FTP.
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