The finale of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is set with Fortune Barisal clinching a spot after a sensational chase against pre-tournament favourites Rangpur Riders. At the heart of Barisal’s second qualifier triumph was the ever-reliable Mushfiqur Rahim, who’s masterful unbeaten 47 off 38 deliveries was instrumental in reaching the target of over 150. Already retired from T20 internationals, Rahim has had a stellar BPL season, becoming the fifth highest scorer with 367 runs and a healthy strike-rate of 123.56. Despite his prowess in the format, Rahim reaffirmed his lack of regret in retiring from T20Is, countering the warmth of current praise with a reflective critique.
Rahim’s post-match revelations ignited a fervent discussion among fans and onlookers. With a hint of discontent, he posited a rhetorical query, “Did I retire from T20Is on my own wish?” pointing to the timing preceding his retirement announcement, which was made just a month before the T20 World Cup following the Asia Cup in September 2022. This enigmatic stance left many contemplating the pressures and decisions behind the scenes of professional cricket.
The story of Fortune Barisal this season has been equally intriguing, led by three stalwarts of Bangladesh cricket – Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, and Mahmudullah. Critics initially took aim at Barisal’s strategy of favoring experience over youth, suggesting that the team composition might not be ideal for the dynamic and fast-paced nature of T20 cricket. Rahim, however, firmly defended the inclusion of seasoned players, indicating that age and experience are valuable assets across all formats of the game, “At the start of the tournament everyone said Barisal is a team of old guys and T20 cannot be played with experience. But here we are.”
The wicketkeeper-batsman went on to express his distress over the criticism directed towards players’ ages, emphasizing his belief in performance and fitness transcending the mere number that is age. He argued passionately for a criterion that melds fitness with performance regardless of one’s years, extolling the virtues of veterans like England’s James Anderson who continue to defy the age barrier effectively.
In a sport often chasing the novelty of youth, Rahim’s steadfastness in the value of experience is a compelling narrative. It’s a reminder that age, when paired with skill and fitness, does not preclude success or relevance within the game. This philosophical stance merges with a personal one as Rahim speaks of repaying the faith placed in him by those who have backed his inclusion, “I don’t play to prove anything to anyone and those who have picked me, I am thankful to them, like Tamim and owner of Barisal. I want to repay their faith through my performance.”
As the BPL moves towards its climax, Mushfiqur Rahim’s reflections paint a more nuanced picture of a cricketer at peace with his decisions, unyieldingly confident in his abilities, and committed to challenging the preconceptions about age in sport. His performance on the field remains the mainstay of a career marked by resolve and resilience, arguably like the skilled craftsmen who maintain their relevance through expertise despite the passage of time. Whether Rahim’s candidness about his retirement will continue to stir further controversy is yet to be seen, but it is clear that his impact on the sport transcends the boundaries of the pitch.
