Mushfiqur Rahim refuses proposal to return to ODI cricket

He confirmed that he was approached by the team management to reconsider his retirement following a string of poor performances by the national team’s middle order.

Mushfiqur, who retired from ODIs in March 2025 following the Champions Trophy, said that he believes the current squad is capable of moving forward without his services.

“Yes, the proposal did come to me,” Mushfiqur said. “But I believe the Bangladesh team is at a stage now, and will reach a level in the near future, where my services in that format won’t be necessary. We have enough talent to fill those roles.”

Mushfiqur remains Bangladesh’s second-highest run-scorer in ODIs, with 7,795 runs at an average of 36.42 across 274 matches.

Despite his age, his fitness remains elite, and his recent form in the red-ball format—including crucial contributions in the Mirpur Test victory—proves his continued value to the side.

Addressing his future in Test cricket, the first Bangladeshi to reach the 100-Test milestone admitted he has no immediate plans to retire.

“I don’t have a specific goal. Tomorrow's match could be my last, or I could play much longer; only the Almighty knows,” he said. “My only desire is to spend as many days as possible on the field. I want to leave while I am still performing well.”

Mushfiqur also noted that the current Test side is the most consistent in Bangladesh's history, attributing the success to a higher volume of matches and a larger pool of match-winners.

Bangladesh leads the two-match series against Pakistan 1-0, with the final Test scheduled to begin on Saturday at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, reports UNB.