Mushfiqur Rahim should have announced retirement during Asia Cup 2022, feels Abdur Razzak

Bangladesh's Mushfiqur Rahim surprised the cricketing world by announcing his retirement from T20Is after Bangladesh were knocked out of the Asia Cup 2022 a day before. The former captain, once an irreplaceable wicketkeeper-batsman in the side, had a drastic dip in form scoring just 218 over the last 12 months.

Former Bangladesh international Abdur Razzak felt that Rahim should have taken this decision pre-tournament, giving him time to say goodbye while still playing cricket on the field.  

"I think it is wonderful if you say goodbye on the field. Everyone who plays for the national team has accomplished something so obviously, they deserve to say goodbye on the field. It's their decision and Mushfiq made his. But if he had been contemplating retirement, it would not have been a bad idea to say so during the Asia Cup since he was thinking it,"

The 40-year-old left-arm spinner also believed that announcing retirement ahead of time is a norm, and should be followed religiously in Bangladesh cricket as well.

T20I Career at glance

Known as a pocket rocket, Rahim played 102 T20Is for Bangladesh, scoring 1,500 runs at an average of 19.48, with six half-centuries. He ended his T20I career as the nation's fourth highest-run getter, behind Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, and Tamim Iqbal.

In 242 T20s, the keeper-batter has scored 5,024 runs, with a top score of 98, having represented sides like Khulna Tigers, Karachi Kings, and Rajshahi Kings, amongst others. 

He will continue to play ODI and Test cricket for Bangladesh.

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