When Mushfiqur Rahim got out, commentator Ian Smith couldn’t hide his shock: “With so much experience, a shot like that!”
Just minutes earlier, as Mushfiqur walked in, Nasser Hussain had been highlighting his career stats: “274 matches, nearly 8,000 runs, 9 centuries—a fantastic keeper-batsman.” But soon after, Ian Smith’s tone changed completely: “… For some reason, Bangladesh is throwing it all away… Mushfiq, with all that experience, such a shot!”
That alone tells you how reckless Mushfiq’s shot was.
The frustration was already fresh, with Towhid Hridoy’s dismissal still stinging. His was another poor shot—far from the form he showed in the last game. He never looked comfortable at the crease, struggling throughout. Eventually, he tried to create room against Michael Bracewell but mistimed his shot, only for Kane Williamson to take a brilliant catch running back from short cover.
At 97/3, Bangladesh desperately needed a partnership. Najmul Hossain Shanto had settled in and just needed someone to stay with him. Who better for that role than Mushfiq?
He had rescued Bangladesh from worse situations countless times in his career. His experience, composure, and technique were crucial. Fans watching from home were expecting him to steady the innings. Instead, he did the exact opposite—throwing his wicket away recklessly.
Mushfiq lasted just eight minutes at the crease. He took two singles from his first two balls but then played two dot balls against Bracewell. That was enough to break his patience, temperament, and match awareness.
Out of nowhere, he attempted a slog sweep, gifting an easy catch to deep mid-wicket. Even Bracewell himself seemed surprised by the dismissal.
Ironically, Mushfiq should have considered himself lucky to even be in the playing XI. His place in the squad had been under question.
With Mahmudullah returning from injury, one player had to be dropped from the previous XI. Given Mushfiq’s recent poor form, he should have been the one to miss out. Before this tournament, he had scored just one fifty in his last 12 ODI innings. In the first match of this tournament against India, he was out for a golden duck.
For an out-of-form batsman, getting dropped would have been a natural decision.
Position-wise, too, he should have made way. Mushfiq has spent most of his career batting at No. 4 or No. 5, playing some of his best knocks in those positions. But now, he bats at No. 6, where Mahmudullah is a much better fit given the current form and squad balance.
Instead, the axe fell on Soumya Sarkar.
Yes, Soumya had a golden duck in the last game due to a poor shot. But since the 2023 World Cup, he had been Bangladesh’s highest run-scorer in ODIs leading up to the New Zealand game. In his last ODI before this tournament, he scored 73 against West Indies.
Beyond stats, from a tactical standpoint, Rawalpindi’s batting-friendly pitch demanded an aggressive opener who could capitalize early. With minimal movement, even bounce, and a good batting surface, Soumya was more suited than anyone in the team.
Yet, he was benched in favor of Mushfiq’s “experience”—which then led to a disastrous shot and an unnecessary dismissal.
And Mushfiq wasn’t the only senior player guilty of reckless batting. Soon after, Mahmudullah followed the same path, throwing his wicket away against Bracewell.
Watching from the commentary box, Ian Smith couldn’t believe what he was witnessing: “… They’ve done it again… What is happening here?!”
The result was inevitable. On a pitch where even 300+ totals weren’t safe, where New Zealand had lost chasing 336 in the last ODI, Bangladesh finished with just 236.
By the mid-innings break, it was clear—the tournament exit bell was ringing in Bangladesh’s dressing room.
