Bangladesh’s veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim has announced his retirement from One Day Internationals (ODIs) following the team’s exit from the ICC Champions Trophy. The 37-year-old shared the news on Instagram on Wednesday, reflecting on a career spanning nearly two decades.
In his heartfelt post, Mushfiqur cited recent challenging weeks as a key factor in his decision.
“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 wrote.
He further added, “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 honours whom He wills, and He disgraces whom He wills. May Almighty Allah forgive us and grant righteous Iman to all. Lastly, I would like to deeply thank my family, friends and my fans for whom I have played cricket for the last 19 years.”
A Storied Career in ODIs
Mushfiqur Rahim is regarded as one of Bangladesh’s most accomplished cricketers. He made his ODI debut in August 2006 against Zimbabwe in Harare. Although he did not get the chance to bat in that game, it marked the beginning of a distinguished career that would significantly contribute to Bangladesh’s cricketing journey.
Over 19 years, Mushfiqur amassed 7,795 runs in 274 ODIs at an average of 36.42. His impressive tally includes nine centuries and 49 half-centuries, making him Bangladesh’s second-highest run-getter in ODIs, only behind Tamim Iqbal’s 8,357 runs. As a wicketkeeper, Mushfiqur excelled behind the stumps with 243 catches and 56 stumpings.
Final ODI Campaign
Mushfiqur’s final Champions Trophy campaign was bittersweet. In his first match, he was dismissed for a golden duck by Axar Patel. In the second game, he was dismissed cheaply for 2(5) by New Zealand’s Michael Bracewell. Unfortunately, incessant rain in Rawalpindi denied him a chance to make a memorable farewell appearance in Bangladesh’s last group-stage game.
With his ODI chapter now closed, Mushfiqur will continue to focus on Test and T20I cricket. His retirement marks the end of an era for Bangladesh’s ODI team, leaving behind a legacy of grit, resilience, and commitment to the game.