Mushfiqur Rahim didn鈥檛 bat in Mohammedan Sporting Club鈥檚 seven-wicket win against Rupganj Tigers at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Thursday. But the wicketkeeper-batter was at the centre of attention after announcing his retirement from ODIs on Wednesday night.
After a dismal Champions Trophy where he managed two runs from two innings, Mushfiq bid farewell to the 50-over format in a social media post.
鈥業 am announcing my retirement from the ODI format as of today,鈥� said Mushfiq. 鈥楢lhamdulillah 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.
Quoting from the holy Quran, Mushfiq further wrote, 鈥楢llah says in the Quran, 鈥楢nd He honours whom He wills, and He disgraces whom He wills.鈥� (3:26. The last few weeks have been very challenging for me, and I have come to realise that this is my destiny. I would like to deeply thank my family, friends, and my fans, for whom I have played cricket for the last 19 years.鈥�
Mushfiq received a guard of honour from his Mohammedan team-mates before taking the field in the morning and then cut a cake with the players from both sides surrounding.
Tributes started to pour in before that for the second highest run getter (7,795 runs at 36.42) in ODIs for Bangladesh.
Mushfiq鈥檚 friend Mohammedan captain, Tamim Iqbal, said that his love for the game was infinite, which is evident.
鈥楳any might not have gotten the opportunity to see his hard work,鈥� Tamim said in a video message. 鈥楢s we play together, I鈥檝e seen how a boy can work hard. I think he has done that much hard work that a man could. And he continues to do so.鈥櫶�
Tamim also wished that Mushfiq would continue to play Test cricket, the only format in the international arena he would be available after announcing retirement from T20Is in 2022.
He said, 鈥榊ou will play Test cricket; I pray that you will do well. I hope you will play at least 100 Tests, which no cricketer ever did in Bangladesh.鈥�
After making his debut in 2006 at Harare against Zimbabwe, Mushfiq was picked for the 2007 World Cup ahead of experienced Khaled Mashud.
Mushfiq repaid the selector鈥檚 faith by scoring an unbeaten 56 runs in Bangladesh鈥檚 famous win over India.
After losing his place briefly the next year, Mushfiq soon became a pivotal figure of Bangladesh in the format where he鈥檚 the fourth highest run-getter as designated wicketkeeper after Kumar Sangakkara, MS Dhoni, and Adam Gilchrist.
He鈥檚 also the most successful wicketkeeper of Bangladesh in the format with 297 dismissals, out of which 241 are catches.
Mushfiq鈥檚 last captain in the ODI format, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, wrote, 鈥楾hank you for inspiring a million of us, dear Mushfiq bhai. A true team man, your dedication to the game has been a role model to us and will inspire generations to come in Bangladesh cricket. Bangladesh cricket will never forget your contribution.鈥櫶�
Towhid Hridoy, who also hails from Bogura, said that it was like a fairytale for him to share the dressing room with his idol.
鈥楩rom waiting to see you practice in the Bogura Stadium to receiving the ODI cap from you and sharing the dressing room鈥攏ot less of a fairytale to me,鈥� Hridoy wrote on Facebook. 鈥楾hough I am speechless and shocked, I am still happy about my idol Mushfiqur Rahim. I will miss you more than anyone and anything.鈥�
Taskin Ahmed said, 鈥楳ushy Bhai, it鈥檚 hard to imagine Bangladesh ODI cricket without you. Your passion, dedication, and fighting spirit have been an inspiration to us all. It鈥檚 been an honour sharing the field with you and learning from you. Wishing you the best for the next chapter鈥攜our legacy will live on forever!鈥�
The BCB also thanked Mushfiq for his contribution.
BCB president Faruque Ahmed said, 鈥楳ushfiqur Rahim鈥檚 work ethic, resilience, and dogged determination serve as examples that will inspire generations to come. His name will always shine brightly when we speak of Bangladesh's finest ODI moments.鈥�
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