Tamim and Mohammedan give Mushfiq a guard of honour after unexpected ODI exit

Mushfiqur Rahim received a 'guard of honour' from Tamim Iqbal and his Mohammedan Sporting Club teammates at Mirpur on 6 march, just a day after his sudden retirement from One-Day Internationals.

The wicketkeeper-batsman announced his decision in a late-night Facebook post, bringing an end to his 19-year ODI career.

Mushfiqur's retirement prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the cricketing world, with Tamim, Mahmudullah Riyad, and Najmul Hossain Shanto among those sharing heartfelt messages on social media. Amidst the praise, Mohammedan ensured a special send-off before their Dhaka Premier League (DPL) match against Rupganj Tigers Cricket Club at the Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium.

With Tamim leading the side, Mohammedan lined up to applaud Mushfiqur as he walked onto the field, already in his wicketkeeping gear. As the team had chosen to field first, Mushfiqur entered with his gloves on, greeted by a corridor of clapping teammates. The gesture was a fitting tribute for one of Bangladesh cricket's most dedicated figures.

Mushfiqur, who debuted in august 2006 against Zimbabwe, played 274 ODIs, amassing 7,795 runs at a strike rate of 79.70, including nine centuries and 49 fifties. His final ODI came on 24 february in Rawalpindi against New Zealand, where he scored just two runs. He also contributed 299 dismissals behind the stumps, with 243 catches and 56 stumpings—241 of those catches as a wicketkeeper.

In his retirement announcement, Mushfiqur reflected on his journey: "I am retiring from the ODI format from today. Alhamdulillah, for this long journey. Perhaps our achievements on the global stage were limited, but I always tried to give more than 100 per cent, playing with dedication and integrity."

Mushfiqur's commitment to cricket was well known, often the subject of light-hearted jokes among teammates. Tamim admitted, "We would sometimes joke about how much he works. But his dedication and love for cricket are beyond words. I know how hard it is for him to make this decision, and as his close friend, I can feel his pain."