Mushfiqur Rahim retires from T20I after Bangladesh's exit from Asia Cup

Dhaka: Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim announced his retirement from T20 Internationals to 'focus on Tests and ODIs', on Sunday.

However, he will be available to play franchise league cricket.

"I would like to announce my retirement from T20 Internationals and focus on Test and ODI formats of the game. I will be available to play franchise leagues when the opportunity arrives. Looking forward to proudly represent my nation in the two formats-MR15," Rahim tweeted.

The decision comes after Bangladesh crashed out of the 2022 Asia Cup without a win against their names.

This comes as a second blow to Bangladesh heading into the T20 World Cup. Earlier this year in June, star opener Tamim Iqbal too retired from T20Is to concentrate on the longer formats.

Mushfiqur retires from the format having played 102 matches, in which he scored 1500 runs with six fifties and a high score of 72 not out.

After having enjoyed a brilliant 2018 in the shortest format where he scored 397 runs at an average of 30.53 while striking at 132.33, the Bangladesh stalwart has looked off-colour in years thereafter.

Most recently in the Asia Cup, he returned with scores of 1 and 4 and also dropped a crucial catch in Bangladesh's must-win encounter against Sri Lanka. (UNI)