Mushfiqur Rahim

Mushfiqur Rahim (মুশফিকুর রহিম; born 9 May 1987) is a Bangladeshi cricketer and the former captain of the Bangladesh national cricket team. He is a right-handed middle-order batter and wicket-keeper in the national team.

Mushfiqur started his international career in 2005 against England at the age of 18 years 17 days. He was made to play as a specialist batsman in the first Test match of his career. He thus became the second-youngest, after Sachin Tendulkar, to play Test cricket at Lord's Cricket Stadium. He continued to make consistent contributions down the order with the bat and was more than competent as a keeper for Bangladesh's spin dominated attack. His moment of fame came in 2010 in a Test against India. Where he scored a quickfire century, the quickest by any Bangladeshi to date. He is one of the best run scorers as a wicketkeeper who has 11,000 runs and 400+ dismissals.

According to Jamie Siddons, the former coach of Bangladesh, Mushfiqur Rahim's batting is so versatile that he can bat anywhere in the top order, from one to six. He is also rated as one of the consistent performers and one of the few keepers to score 1000+ runs in every format. He is the highest individual scorer for Bangladesh in Test cricket. He is the first and only wicketkeeper-batsman in the history of Test cricket to score two double-hundreds. He is also the first and only Bangladeshi batsman to score three double-hundreds in Tests. Mushfiqur is the only Bangladeshi player to win 150 international matches. In December 2023, he became only the second cricketer in test cricket history after Len Hutton to be given out for obstructing the field, when he physically handled the ball with his gloves during a test match against New Zealand.

Early life and family
Mushfiqur Rahim was born on 9 May 1987 in Bogra, Bangladesh. Born to Mahbub Habib and Rahima Khatun, he finished his secondary schooling at Bogra Zilla School. In between playing cricket, he studied history at the Jahangirnagar University. He graduated with a master's degree from the university in 2012. He married Jannatul Kifayet Mondi in 2014. Mondi is the sister of Mahmudullah's wife, Jannatul Kawsar Mishti. Mushfiqur Rahim had a son, Mayan, in 2018.

Early career
Before playing for the national team, Mushfiqur Rahim played for Bangladesh Under-19s. He represented them in three Youth Tests and 18 Youth One Day Internationals (ODIs) between 2004 and 2006, averaging 31.75 and 36.00 with the bat in the respective formats. Mushfiqur Rahim trained at the Bangladesh Institute of Sports.

During the 2006 U-19 Cricket World Cup, hosted by Sri Lanka in February, Mushfiqur Rahim captained the Bangladesh side which included future international players Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal among others. Mushfiqur Rahim was one of two players at the tournament with Test-match experience. Under his guidance Bangladesh reached the quarter finals of the tournament. Later that month Mushfiqur Rahim was recalled to the senior Test squad for the first time since the England tour in 2005. He was selected as a specialist batsmen, with Khaled Mashud chosen as the wicket-keeper for the series against Sri Lanka.

Domestic and T20 franchise career
At the domestic level he represents Rajshahi Division. In T20 cricket, all of Mushfiqur's runs came playing for Bangladesh, Bangladesh A, Duronto Rajshahi, Nagenahira Nagas, Sylhet Royals, Chittagong Vikings, Karachi Kings, Barishal Bulls, Rajshahi Kings, Nangharhar Leopards, Khulna Tigers and Beximco Dhaka.

National Cricket League
In December 2010, Mushfiqur Rahim recorded his best score in a one-day match. Playing for Rajshahi in the National Cricket League, he scored 114 from 120 deliveries as his team lost by 8 runs.

Representing Rajshahi Division in domestic cricket, Mushfiqur Rahim has over 6500 first-class runs to his name including twelve half-centuries and thirty four centuries.

Bangladesh Cricket League
In the match against Central Zone, Mushi got his 1st first-class wicket by dismissing Nurul Hasan playing for North Zone as he returned bowling figures of 1–23 in 10 overs.

Bangladesh Premier League
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) founded the six-team Bangladesh Premier League in 2012, a twenty20 tournament to be held in February that year. The BCB made Mushfiq the 'icon player' for Duronto Rajshahi. Under his leadership Duronto overcame a weak start to progress to the semi-finals where they lost to Barisal Burners; Mushfiqur Rahim contributed 234 runs from 11 matches.

In January 2013, he was named in the squad for Sylhet Royals, following the draft for the 2012-13 Bangladesh Premier League. He was the leading run-scorer in that tournament, with 440 runs in 13 matches at an average of 40.40.

In November 2016, he was named in the squad for the Barisal Bulls team, following the draft for the 2016–17 Bangladesh Premier League. He was one of the leading run scorers in that tournament, with 341 runs in 12 matches at an average of 37.88, which included two half-centuries.

In October 2018, he was named in the squad for the Chittagong Vikings team, following the draft for the 2018–19 Bangladesh Premier League. He was the leading run-scorer for the team in the tournament, with 426 runs in thirteen matches.

In November 2019, he was selected to play for the Khulna Tigers in the 2019–20 Bangladesh Premier League. He was the second highest run-scorer in that tournament, scoring 491 runs in 14 matches, at an average of 70.14 which included 4 half-centuries. He also posted his career-best knock of unbeaten 98 runs against Cumilla Warriors during the 40th match of the tournament.

In November 2022, he was named in the Sylhet Strikers' squad, following the players draft for the 2022–23 Bangladesh Premier League. On 10 January 2023, in the 10th match against the Dhaka Dominators, he became the first cricketer to play 100 matches in the Bangladesh Premier League.

In January 2024, he was named in the Fortune Barishal's squad, following the players draft for the 2024 Bangladesh Premier League.

Afghanistan Premier League
In September 2018, he was named in Nangarhar's squad in the first edition of the Afghanistan Premier League tournament.

Bangabandhu T20 Cup
He played for Beximco Dhaka in 2020-21 Bangabandhu T20 Cup.

International career
Mushfiqur Rahim was selected for Bangladesh's tour of England in 2005. It was Bangladesh's first tour of England, where they faced unfamiliar conditions and the batsmen struggled against seam bowling and uneven bounce throughout the series. Mushfiqur adapted his batting style in the warm up matches, "consistently playing late and straight" according to Wisden, and managed to score 63 against Sussex and scored 115 not out against Northamptonshire in the warm up matches.

Although initially named in the squad as a part-time wicket-keeper, his performances in the warm up matches led to his selection for the first Test at Lord's as a specialist batsman as well. The 17-year-old Mushfiqur Rahim scored 19 in the first innings and was one of just three batsman to reach double figures as Bangladesh were dismissed for 108. After twisting his ankle, he did not play any further in the tour.

Mushfiqur Rahim was included in Bangladesh's squad to tour Zimbabwe for five ODIs in 2006. He was one of three uncapped ODI players included in the squad alongside all-rounders Farhad Reza and Shakib Al Hasan. He scored his maiden half-century at Harare against Zimbabwe.

His good performances led him to picked as the first-choice wicket-keeper ahead of Khaled Mashud for the World Cup in the West Indies.

Mushfiqur Rahim was recalled for the second Test against Sri Lanka in July 2007, replacing Mashud. Although Bangladesh lost by an innings and 90 runs, Mushfiqur Rahim combined with Mohammad Ashraful – the new captain – to score a record 191 for Bangladesh's sixth-wicket partnership. In December 2007, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) granted Mushfiqur Rahim a one-year grade B (third tier) contract, one of 22 central contracts with the Board at the time.

Following the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup, Mushfiqur Rahim endured a series of poor scores, including five innings in which he amassed four runs altogether. As a result, when South Africa toured in March for three ODIs and Bangladesh went to Pakistan for five ODIs the next month, Mushfiqur Rahim was dropped in favour of Dhiman Ghosh.

Mushfiqur Rahim was recalled to the squad for a tri-series with Pakistan and India and the 2008 Asia Cup. When 17 contracts were announced in April 2009, Mushfiqur Rahim's was renewed, marking Mushfiqur Rahim as Bangladesh's first choice 'keeper.

Retirement
Mushfiqur Rahim announced his retirement from T20Is on September 4, 2022. Mushfiqur Rahim took to his official Twitter account to make the announcement, insisting that he will now be focusing on ODIs and Tests. Mushfiqur Rahim's decision came just over a month before the scheduled start of the T20 World Cup in Australia.

Vice-captaincy
Mushfiqur Rahim was appointed vice-captain for Bangladesh's tour of Zimbabwe in August 2009. The position was vacated as the previous holder, Shakib Al Hasan, was filling-in as captain for the injured Mashrafe Mortaza. Bangladesh won the five match ODI series 4–1. In the final ODI, Mushfiqur Rahim scored 98, beating his previous highest score in list A matches of 58, to help his team to victory. With 169 runs in the series at an average of 56.33, Mushfiqur Rahim finishes the tour as Bangladesh's fourth-highest run scorer.

Mushfiqur Rahim retained the vice-captaincy for the home Test series against India in January and February 2010. On 21 January, in the fifth day of the first Test, he scored his maiden Test century and the fastest by a Bangladeshi in Test cricket, off only 112 balls as Bangladesh delayed an Indian victory, being the last man out as India won by 113 runs. England toured Bangladesh in February and March for two Tests and three ODIs, where Bangladesh lost all two formats. In the series, Mushfiqur Rahim was his team's second-highest run-scorer. He scored two half-centuries in the first Test, becoming the 6th Bangladesh batsman to perform the feat.

Having impressed at home, Mushfiqur Rahim's performance in the return tour in England in May was expected to be crucial for the rankings. In the tour, Mushfiqur Rahim could managed 40 runs from two Tests as Bangladesh's batsmen struggled in English conditions and slumped to a 2–0 defeat. In the first ODI of the tour Mushfiqur Rahim was struck in the face while keeping wicket to spinner Faisal Hossain. An x-ray revealed no fractures, however as a precaution he was rested for a week, missing the rest of the series.

In November 2010, BCB announced 16 central contracts. Mushfiqur Rahim was one of six players in the top level. In December 2010, Tamim Iqbal replaced Mushfiqur Rahim as Bangladesh's vice-captain.

Mushfiqur Rahim was included in Bangladesh's 15-man squad for the 2011 World Cup. Bangladesh were knocked out in the group stage and Mushfiqur Rahim had a poor tournament personally. There were suggestions that he could be dropped, especially as fellow wicket-keeper Dhiman Ghosh was scoring heavily in Bangladesh's domestic competition. In August 2011, Mushfiqur hit 101 from 100 balls having his second century against Zimbabwe was not enough to stop Bangladesh losing the third one-day series by five runs.

National captain (2011–2018)
On 20 September 2011, Mushfiqur Rahim was named Bangladesh captain, taking over from Shakib Al Hasan after a disappointing tour of Zimbabwe. The announcement was made midway through the BCB Cup, a tournament involving the senior Bangladesh team, Bangladesh A, and a side made up of academy players. Mushfiqur Rahim had already been captaining Bangladesh in the tournament on a temporary basis. The competition was won by Bangladesh A.

In 2011, West Indies toured Bangladesh in October for a T20I, three ODIs, and two Tests. In his first international match as captain, Mushfiqur Rahim produced a Man-of-the-Match performance, scoring 41 not out from 26 balls to help his team to victory. Desptire T20I win, Bangladesh lost the ODI series 2–1. Mushfiqur Rahim was Bangladeshi's leading run-scorer with 100, including a fifty. The following month, Pakistan toured for three ODIs and two Tests. Bangladesh lost the ODI series 3–0, and Mushfiqur Rahim managed just 12 runs from three innings.

In the 2012 Asia Cup, under Mushfiqur Rahim's captaincy, Bangladesh won two out of the three games they have played and reached the final for the first time where they lost to Pakistan. In April his grade A+ central contract was renewed. On 11 March 2013, during the first test of the tour of Sri Lanka in Galle, Mushfiqur Rahim became the first Bangladeshi to score a double hundred, beating the previous highest of 190 set by Mohammed Ashraful earlier in the day.

Mushfiqur Rahim announced his resignation as captain on 8 May 2013, but a few days later Mushfiqur announced he had made a "mistake", and on 3 July 2013 the BCB announced they would be retaining Mushfiqur as captain until the end of the year.

Mushfiqur Rahim continued his captaincy in 2014 and lost to Sri Lanka in a home series. During the series, he suffered a finger injury for which he was replaced with Mohammad Mithun in wicket keeping. He also missed out the T20 international matches against Sri Lanka in which Mashrafe Mortaza took the job of captaincy. He scored his second one-day international century against India at the beginning of the 2014 Asia Cup but struggled in that match with his injury.

In the next match against Afghanistan, Mushfiqur Rahim continued his good form but Bangladesh lost the match by 32 runs, the first time they had lost to an associate team since gaining Test status. His team also lost the match against Pakistan in that same tournament even after scoring 326 which was their highest ODI score, courtesy of Shahid Afridi's knock. Later they lost to Sri Lanka in their last match of the series which made them lose all three matches.

Bangladesh qualified for the super 10s in the 2014 ICC World Twenty20, by winning two of their three matches in the qualifying stage. But they were knocked out in the super 10s, having lost all the four matches.

Bangladesh toured the West Indies in August 2014. During the first Test, Mushfiqur scored 116 in the second innings, picking up his third Test century. However, they lost all three ODIs and two Test matches.

In September 2014, the BCB appointed Mortaza as the ODI captain, although Mushfiqur Rahim retained the Test captaincy. In November 2014, Bangladesh whitewashed Zimbabwe in both the three Tests and five ODIs. He was also awarded the man of the series for the ODI matches.

During the group stage of the 2015 Cricket World Cup, Bangladesh defeated England, as a result they qualified for the second quarterfinal. In that match Mahmudullah Riyad and Mushfiqur Rahim made the highest partnership (141 runs) for any wicket for Bangladesh in a World Cup match which was also Bangladesh's highest ODI partnership against England.

During the first Test against New Zealand at Basin Reserve in January 2017, Mushfiqur Rahim was hit on the back of the helmet on the fifth day of match and immediately taken to hospital. The incident took place in the 43rd over of Bangladesh's second innings when Tim Southee bowled a bouncer that hit Mushfiqur Rahim just behind left ear as he was trying to duck. Initial X-rays and scans to his neck suggested he was out of immediate danger. Mushfiqur Rahim attended to the post match presentation after receiving treatment.

In March 2017, during the second Test against Sri Lanka, Mushfiqur Rahim took his 100th dismissal as a wicket-keeper. He became the first wicket-keeper for Bangladesh to reach this milestone.

On 15 October 2017, during the first ODI against South Africa, Mushfiqur Rahim became the first batsman for Bangladesh to score an international century against South Africa in any format.

He was selected as wicket keeper in the Test XI of the year 2017 by ESPNcricinfo.

In November 2018, he scored 219 not out against Zimbabwe to become the first wicket-keeper–batsman to score two double centuries in Test cricket,(a third double hundred coming in 2020) His score of 219* is currently the highest individual score in a Test innings by a Bangladeshi batsman. Later the same month, against the West Indies, he became the second batsman for Bangladesh to score 4,000 runs in Tests.

2019 Cricket World Cup and after
In April 2019, he was named in Bangladesh's squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup. In the first innings of Bangladesh's opening match in the World Cup, against South Africa, he scored an 80-ball 78, contributing to a 142 run partnership with Shakib Al Hasan. Bangladesh went on to score their highest total in an ODI match, finishing on 330/6 from their 50 overs, beating South Africa by 21 runs.

In Bangladesh's next match of the tournament, against New Zealand, Mushfiqur played in his 350th international match for Bangladesh.

In the match against Australia, Mushfiqur scored his first century in Cricket World Cup. He scored 102* in 97 balls and became third Bangladeshi batsman to score a century in world cup. Bangladesh also broke the record of their highest total ODI runs in this match, scoring 333 for 8 wickets.

In February 2020, when Zimbabwe toured Bangladesh, he scored an unbeaten 203 runs, becoming the only Bangladeshi batsman to score three double-hundreds in Test cricket.

In December 2020, Mushfiqur was named in Bangladesh's Test and ODI squad for their series against West Indies. This was Bangladesh's first international series after COVID-19 pandemic that stopped cricket in the country since March 2020.

On 25 May 2021, against Sri Lanka in the second ODI, Mushfiqur scored 125 and helped his side to win the second ODI and the series as well (Bangladesh's first ever series win against Sri Lanka). After winning the match, Mushfiqur went on to become the first ever and the only Bangladeshi player to win 150 international matches. Later, he became the man of the series and scored the most runs (237) in the series.

In September 2021, he was named in Bangladesh's squad for the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

In March 2023, in the second ODI against Ireland, Mushfiqur Rahim scored the fastest century by a Bangladeshi player, in terms of the number of balls faced in an ODI (60). He also became the third cricketer from Bangladesh to score 7,000 runs in ODIs.

In December 2023, during the second and final test match in Bangladesh's home test series against New Zealand, Rahim was ruled out for obstructing the field during the 41st over of the match on day one of the match's proceedings. Rahim was clearly handling the ball and he was dismissed for 35 when he deflected the ball using his hands soon after defending the ball bowled by Kyle Jamieson. New Zealand fielders eventually appealed for Rahim's attempt to deflect the ball away from the stumps. It became the first such instance in last 72 years in test cricket (Len Hutton in 1951 was the previous batter to be dismissed) where a batsman was given out for obstructing the field.

List of international centuries
Mushfiqur Rahim scored the first Test double century for Bangladesh, and has scored centuries on nine occasions in Test matches and nine occasions in ODIs.

Records and achievements

 * First Bangladeshi batsman to score three double-hundreds in Test cricket. (203*, in February 2020, in one-off the Test against Zimbabwe.)
 * First wicketkeeper to record two Test double centuries (In November 2018 against Zimbabwe). He finished his innings on 219*, the highest individual score by a Bangladesh batsman in Test cricket. and faced 421 balls spending 589 minutes at the crease during the innings, a record for a Bangladesh batsman in a Test innings.
 * Second Bangladeshi batsman to score 4,000 runs in Tests.
 * ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year: 2021.

Disciplinary issues
Mushfiqur Rahim was criticized for trying to hit his teammate, Nasum Ahmed, following an incident in the eliminator of the Bangabandhu T20 Cup where both of them were going for the same catch and avoided a collision being the catch taken by Mushi. Mushi, the captain of Beximco Dhaka, was visibly annoyed with his teammate and threatened to throw a punch at him. The video capturing the incident had gone viral on Twitter. Mushfiqur Rahim apologized to his teammate and the BCB fined him 25% of his match fees and issued one demerit point for the incident.