Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain has expressed his respect and admiration for Mushfiqur Rahim, following the wicketkeeper-batsman’s announcement to retire from One Day Internationals on Wednesday.
Rahim, who has been an integral part of the national team for almost two decades, has earned widespread praise for his contributions both with the bat and behind the stumps.
Reflecting on Rahim’s illustrious career, Najmul said, “I absolutely respect his decision. He has served the Bangladesh team for nearly two decades—his contribution has been outstanding. Whether with the bat or behind the stumps, his wicketkeeping was extremely important to the team. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with him, both on and off the field.”
Najmul also acknowledged the void Rahim’s departure will create in the team, particularly in the fielding setup.
“It will definitely feel a bit empty, especially when he was keeping wickets. He always provided great insights into the wicket and fielding set-ups, something he was exceptionally good at. That’s something I will miss,” he remarked.
Despite his ODI retirement, Najmul is hopeful Rahim will continue playing Test cricket. “I hope he continues with red-ball cricket, and we move forward with him as a key part of the Test team,” he added.
Highlighting Rahim’s work ethic, Najmul emphasized that the veteran cricketer’s discipline is unmatched in Bangladesh.
“Very few cricketers in Bangladesh maintain such discipline. Coaches always tell us to maintain consistency in our approach, whether it’s playing in the Dhaka League, first-class cricket, or for the national team. His routine is exceptional, as is his focus on work, especially during preparations before a series or tournament. We have learned a lot just by observing him,” he said.
Najmul concluded by noting that young cricketers have a lot to learn from Rahim’s dedication and work ethic.
“In this regard, I don’t see anyone in Bangladesh who can be compared to him,” he added.
Bd-Pratidin English/ARK
