Mushfiq gives short shrift to ODI return talks

Bangladesh batter Mushfiqur Rahim gave short shrift to talks of a possible return to One Day Internationals, a format where he last featured in February, 2025 against New Zealand at the ICC Champions Trophy.

Still going strong in Tests, the only format where the 39-year old is available for Bangladesh, Mushfiq was queried on Friday if he received a proposal to make a return to 50-over cricket for the men in red and green.

The 101-Test veteran though swatted away the possibility while briefing the media in picturesque Sylhet in the pre-second Test press conference. 

“The thing that you are saying about one-day cricket, yeah obviously the message has reached me, but I feel Inshallah the state Bangladesh cricket is in at the moment, the stage we are in at and heading towards the future, I feel Inshallah they will not be requiring my services (in ODIs),” Mushfiq told reporters on the eve of the second and final Test against visitors Pakistan.

The diminutive batter is heading to the Sylhet Test on the back of a fine performance in the first Test in Mirpur where he garnered 71 and 22 runs, helping Bangladesh record their first ever longer-format win over Pakistan at home. 

Among Bangladesh players, Mushfiq has played the most ODIs – 274 – with Shakib al Hasan (247) and Tamim Iqbal (243) second and third in the list.