Veteran Bangladeshi batter Mushfiqur Rahim hinted at being coerced into retiring from T20 Internationals. Mushfiqur, who bid adieu to T20Is on September 4, 2022, clarified that he doesn’t regret his decision, though hinted at a more intricate tale behind his departure. His revelation came after Fortune Barishal’s triumph over Rangpur Riders in the Bangladesh Premier League Qualifier 2, where he was adjudged the Player of the Match for his composed innings of 47* off 38, leading his team to victory.
Despite the time crunch at the post-match press conference, the wicketkeeper-batter took the opportunity to share insights into his retirement saga during his subsequent interaction with reporters. His statements indicated a potential re-evaluation within the Bangladeshi cricketing hierarchy. The disclosure provided by him has added another twist to his retirement chronicle, hinting at a broader storyline shaping Bangladesh cricket.
“No, what’s there to regret? You are saying this (about game sense) after I played well. No one said that before. I only want one question. Did I retire from T20s? Did I do it of my own will? That’s all I have to say. That time when I retired in T20s, just look at the month before that, that’s all I have to say,” Mushfiqur said as quoted by The Daily Star.
Mushfiqur has emerged as the fifth-highest scorer in this season’s BPL, amassing 367 runs at an average of 33.36. His pivotal innings in the qualifier against Rangpur Riders ensured Fortune Barishal’s spot in the BPL final. His consistency in the middle-order has been commendable, evidenced by his 39-ball 68 against Khulna Tigers and a 44-ball 63 against Comilla Victorians earlier in the tournament.
The 36-year-old’s timely fifty against Sylhet Strikers further highlighted his value to the team. Rahim’s unbeaten 47 off 38 balls against Rangpur Riders showcases his sublime stroke-making abilities, bolstering Barishal’s batting line-up. It is imperative to note that he had made himself unavailable for certain matches during the World Cup 2023 due to familial commitments, as Bangladesh grappled to stay alive in the tournament.
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