Where players are retiring from red-ball cricket, Bangladesh’s wicketkeeping batter Mushfiqur Rahim has decided to give up on T20Is to focus on Test and ODIs. In the recent selection going on among players either to pick the shortest format or to opt for red-ball cricket, most of them have been lately preferring t20Is, ending their stint with the longest format.
In recent times, the cricket world has witnessed multiple cricketers retiring from Test cricket to shift their focus on limited-overs cricket. But, breaking all the grudges, Mushfiqur has decided to play Test Cricket and ODIs instead.
In modern-day cricket, the shortest format has been the most loved one producing extra pennies for a player in a short time period. Whereas, players nowadays are looking hesitated to spend all the day on the field for ODIs, or Test cricket.
Mushfiqur has become the second player from Bangladesh to retire from the format after Tamim Iqbal opted to do so this June. The wicketkeeper’s announcement came through his Facebook post soon after the team’s tenure in the Asia Cup 2022 ended, losing both games in the first round.
Notably, following the player’s poor form in the format, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) was already likely to drop him from future plans, including the World T20, scheduled in Australia in October. While playing the safe side, he penned out,
“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. I will continue to take part in Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and other franchise tournaments.”
The T20I-retired cricketer has the longest career in men’s t20I, playing for 15 years and 277 days, while his counterpart Shakib Al Hasan also has the joint record.
