Cricket News : Bangladesh’s wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim retires from T20Is

Mushfiqur Rahim, a former captain of Bangladesh and experienced wicket-keeper batsman,announced his retirement from Twenty20 international play on Sunday in order to concentrate on Test and ODI matches.

The seasoned cricketer can participate in T20 franchise leagues as well.

"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,"

Mushfiqur wrote on his official Facebook page.

Following Bangladesh's elimination from the current Asia Cup, when they lost both of their group stage matches to Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, Mushfiqur made his decision.

The seasoned cricketer missed a chance to help Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis, scoring 4 and 1, and fluffed another opportunity, which ultimately proved costly. Mushfiqur experienced a protracted dry spell in T20Is, scoring just two half-centuries since November 2019.

In the T20 World Cup last year, he managed just 144 runs over eight innings with a strike rate of 113.38.

The team management had made it known after the competition that they were considering dropping him from the lineup because he had been rested for the domestic series against Pakistan. Rahim had criticised the broad at the time for giving him a rest. Mushfiqur was, incidentally, also benched for the T20Is against Zimbabwe.

Rahim played 102 matches for his country, amassing 1500 runs at an average of 19.23 and collecting six fifties. He made his T20I debut in 2006 against Zimbabwe. He also made 30 stumpings and took 42 catches.

He has, however, consistently delivered in both Tests and ODIs. Since November 2019, when his T20I performance started to drop, Mushfiqur has averaged 54.81 in 15 Test matches, amassing three hundreds, including a double-hundred. He has played 20 ODIs, averaging 42.12, and has consistently been a regular.

Tamim Iqbal, a player from Bangladesh, retired from the shortest format in July, making Mushfiqur the second player from that country to do so recently.

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