Mushfiq's marathon ODI journey ends, but he's still important for Bangladesh cricket

For quite some time, it had been on the cards. Now, it has finally happened. Mushfiqur Rahim has announced his retirement from ODI cricket, bringing an end to his illustrious white-ball career. His T20I journey had already concluded earlier, and now he will dedicate himself entirely to red-ball cricket. This shift is not just a positive step for Mushfiq but also for Bangladesh cricket.

The Tigers will eventually have to fill the void left by Mushfiq in the limited-overs format, with several players already waiting in the wings hoping to seize the opportunity. However, in Test cricket, Mushfiq remains with. His experience, technique, and tenacity are still invaluable assets to a team that continues to search for stability in the longest format.

Australian legend Steven Smith bid farewell to white-ball cricket following his team's exit from the Champions Trophy. His moment of epiphany came when he failed to read a full toss from Mohammad Shami, watching helplessly as his off-stump cartwheeled behind him. That was the precise instant Smith realised his time in ODIs was up—just as Adam Gilchrist once knew when he failed to react in time to a regulation catch from VVS Laxman, letting the ball slip through his gloves.

So why bring up Smith and Gilchrist in the story of Mushfiq? Because there is a fair chance Mushfiq also had his own moment of realisation. Perhaps it came after his struggles in the Champions Trophy, where he managed only two runs from two innings. Yet, regardless of the manner in which his white-ball career concluded, Mushfiq's ODI legacy remains remarkable, even by global standards.

In 274 matches, he amassed 7,795 runs at an average of 36.42. Along the way, he notched up nine centuries and 49 half-centuries. These statistics alone solidify his standing among Bangladesh's greatest cricketers. There is no doubt that Bangladesh's next ODI matches will feel different. There will be no familiar voice behind the stumps shouting encouragement: "Miraz, eita kintu bhalo" or "Arektu shamne fel, shamne fellei chole jabe."

Tributes poured in from former and current Bangladesh cricketers, all acknowledging the immense contributions Mushfiq has made to the game. Tamim Iqbal, who himself recently stepped away from international cricket, shared a heartfelt video message on his Facebook page, reflecting on his long-standing camaraderie with Mushfiq. "Today, a person with whom I've had almost a 20-25-year journey. It's impossible to express my feelings for him through a simple status," Tamim said.

Reminiscing about their early days, he added, "Our journey started from Under-15 cricket. I've seen him work so hard, evolving from a simple batter to one of Bangladesh's finest. He has always given his best—perhaps as much as any human possibly could."

Tamim also expressed his desire to see Mushfiq reach a major milestone in Test cricket. "I hope you play your 100th Test match—something no Bangladeshi cricketer has achieved yet."

Mashrafe Mortaza, another iconic figure in Bangladesh cricket, expressed his emotions in a poetic manner. The duo played 212 matches together for Bangladesh and captained each other on numerous occasions—Mashrafe played 32 ODIs under Mushfiq's leadership, while Mushfiq played 104 ODIs under Mashrafe.

In his Facebook post, Mashrafe wrote, "Hearing of your retirement, countless memories flashed before my eyes in an instant. So many years of walking the same path together, countless memories both on and off the field!"

Mushfiq's current teammates also shared their thoughts following his retirement. Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed took to Facebook to write, "It's hard to imagine Bangladesh's ODI cricket without you. Your dedication, fighting spirit, and boundless inspiration will always be a benchmark for us. It was an honour to share the field with you and learn from you."

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto paid his respects, saying, "Thank you, Mushfiq bhai, for inspiring millions." Soumya Sarkar added, "Retirement is not the end—it's just the beginning of a new chapter."

Beyond numbers, Mushfiq's legacy in Bangladesh cricket is unique. He has been the epitome of dedication for years. Mushfiq would still find his way to a far-off stadium even on days when there was no team training—when fatigue dogged the squad following a demanding schedule. Mushfiq was never ready to take a break, thus his presence meant a thrower, a national team security officer, and some other staff members would have to sacrifice their rest.

It is impossible to know exactly where his influence will finally settle or where he will stand in the narratives of the next generations. He has certainly had to face constant criticism over his career. He acknowledged, "The last few weeks have been tough for me," even in his retirement statement.

There was no denying this—Mushfiq has always been one of the scapegoats following every disappointment in a world tournament. He has suffered many times with failure. He has had times when he couldn't score two runs off three balls. Regarding commitment, though, he is above all in Bangladesh cricket. If such loyalty does not yield success, some would wonder about its worth. This is a reasonable question with no simple solution.

Time can change points of view. Little events can completely ruin a career and quickly destroy reputation. Still, some tales call for tenacity and commitment to have a place. One has to acknowledge the effort to rise once more following loss. Why is this important? In a cricket culture spanning more than two decades, a country needs leaders like Mushfiq—players who inspire the innumerable aspirant cricketers hoping to reach the top. The game runs the danger of stagnation without such numbers.

In the larger picture, though, is Bangladesh cricket not accountable for matching the level of dedication and hard effort Mushfiq has established? Maybe the solution resides in time. Right now, we should value Mushfiqur Rahim in Test cricket for his performances rather than only for his dedication. Since ultimately the game remembers those who deliver when it counts most.