The cricket world has witnessed another high-profile retirement, as Bangladesh’s seasoned wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim has announced his decision to hang up his boots from the One-Day International (ODI) format. This news comes on the heels of Australia’s Steve Smith bidding adieu to the same format. Rahim took to his Facebook and Instagram accounts to share the news with his fans, stating that he will no longer don the Bangladesh jersey in ODIs. It’s worth noting that Rahim had already retired from the T20 format about three years ago, but he will continue to represent Bangladesh in the Test format.
Bangladesh’s performance in the recently concluded tournament was underwhelming, to say the least. The team failed to progress beyond the group stage, suffering defeats at the hands of India and New Zealand, while their match against Pakistan was washed out due to rain. Despite this, Rahim’s individual achievements are a testament to his dedication and skill. He made his ODI debut back in 2006 against Zimbabwe and has since gone on to play 274 matches for Bangladesh, making him the country’s most capped player in the format.
Rahim’s impressive statistics make him a tough act to follow. He is the second-highest run-scorer for Bangladesh in ODIs, with only Tamim Iqbal surpassing him. His ability to score runs consistently, coupled with his wicketkeeping skills, makes him a versatile player who will be difficult to replace. The numbers speak for themselves: in 274 ODIs, Rahim averaged 36.42 and struck at a rate of 79.7, amassing 7795 runs. His highest score in the format was 144, and he has scored nine centuries and 49 half-centuries.
As the cricket community bids farewell to Rahim’s ODI career, it’s essential to acknowledge the significant contributions he has made to the sport. His retirement marks the end of an era, but it also presents an opportunity for younger players to step up and fill the void. With Rahim continuing to play in the Test format, fans can still look forward to seeing him in action, albeit in a different capacity. As the Bangladeshi team looks to rebuild and regroup, they will undoubtedly miss Rahim’s experience and expertise in the ODI format.