This time, Dinesh Karthik has raised questions about Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah. The former Indian cricketer has spoken about their continued presence in the national team despite their age. He expressed surprise that they did not retire after the World Cup.
Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad have been playing international cricket for over a decade and a half. Many of their contemporaries have already packed up their gear and bid farewell to the national team.
However, Mushfiq and Mahmudullah are still automatic selections in the national squad, which has started to impact the team. They are no longer able to take responsibility as they used to, and their best days are now behind them.
Mushfiq has struggled with the bat since the World Cup. In 17 innings, he has scored only 329 runs at an average of 27.78 and a strike rate of 81.21. He failed to reach double digits in eight of those innings. He also performed poorly in the BPL.
In the BPL, Mushfiq managed only 184 runs in 14 matches. Then, in the Champions Trophy, he was dismissed for 0 and 2 in two matches. Meanwhile, Mahmudullah also had a disappointing series against New Zealand, scoring just four runs and dropping an easy catch in the field.
Dinesh Karthik, frustrated with their poor performances, brought up their names in a discussion with Cricbuzz. He said, “They have been playing together for 16-17 years but have not won anything for the country. So, what is the reason for keeping them in the team for so long?”
Karthik further added, “I thought Mushfiq and Mahmudullah would retire after the 2023 World Cup. But they chose to continue playing. I don’t know how much longer they will continue! They have surprised me a lot.”
He also commented, “At some point, they have to make way for young players. This will bring stability to the team. Initially, the young players may struggle, but eventually, they will bring success.”
Finally, he advised Bangladesh, “If they want to perform well in the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and the 2027 ODI World Cup, they must think on a larger scale and plan accordingly.”
