Mushfiqur Rahim has never experienced such a long fifty-drought in his Test career before. Determined to find his form again, he was seen at the ground on Saturday, two hours before the team’s scheduled practice.
At that time, Zimbabwe’s training session on the eastern side of the Chattogram stadium was nearing its end. Suddenly, there was activity at the nets on the western side. Ground staff removed the covers from the practice pitches. Soon after, Mushfiqur Rahim emerged from the dressing room, with his personal assistant carrying his kit bag. Bangladesh’s team practice was still two hours away.
Bangladesh officially began their session at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium around 2 PM. But Mushfiqur had already started batting against net bowlers from noon, spending about an hour in the nets.
He later joined the full team practice as well, from the very beginning. It wasn’t something new—Mushfiqur has long been known for spending more time training than anyone else in the squad. For over a decade, his dedication and intense preparation have been a familiar sight before any match.
However, the current context is quite different. Now nearing 39, Mushfiqur is battling the most difficult phase of his career. In the recent Sylhet Test, he was dismissed for just 4 runs in both innings. In the match before that against South Africa, he managed only 2 runs across two innings.
Overall, he hasn’t scored a fifty in his last 12 innings. During this stretch, the experienced batsman hasn’t even reached 40 runs in an innings. In a career spanning nearly two decades and 95 Test matches, Mushfiqur has never endured such a rough patch.
He once went 11 innings without a fifty during the 2014–15 season and, early in his career in 2008, went through 10 consecutive innings without a half-century as a young wicketkeeper-batsman.
Now, with the milestone of becoming the first Bangladeshi to play 100 Tests in sight, Mushfiqur’s lack of form has become a major concern for the team. However, after the Sylhet Test, vice-captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed full faith in the veteran, saying the team still backs him, hoping he can bounce back at any moment.
Mushfiqur himself seems to be feeling the urgency to return to form. His early arrival at training two days before the Chattogram Test speaks volumes about his commitment to prepare thoroughly.
He continues to receive full support from the team. Before Saturday’s practice, during the pre-session press conference, young batter Zakir Hasan defended Mushfiqur when asked about his form struggles.
“He’s not the only one playing in the team. Everyone has to score runs, not just him. Maybe he’s not scoring right now, that’s okay. It can happen to anyone. There’s no rule that he must score every day. Everyone needs to contribute,” Zakir said.
In the second innings of the Sylhet Test, Zakir built a 35-run partnership in 91 balls with tail-ender Hasan Mahmud. Despite being a bowler, Hasan showed great resistance, facing 58 deliveries for his 12 runs. Zakir wants to see that kind of fighting spirit from everyone.
“All the batsmen have to take responsibility and score runs. Even if you don’t score, you must show the intent to fight. Hasan’s batting in the last innings… the fight he showed, it was impressive. If everyone shows that kind of intent, then big scores will eventually come,” Zakir added.
Mushfiqur has been trying just that for 12 innings now, but the runs have still eluded him. If his bat fails to deliver once again in the Chattogram Test, serious questions could be raised about his place in the playing XI.
