Battling perceptions, Mushfiqur Rahim leaves a long-lasting legacy filled with consistency

The 2016 World T20, 2017-18 Nidahas Tri-series and 2020-21 Bangabandhu T20 Cup have something in common - Mushfiqur Rahim’s celebrations and anger. In all the three tournaments, the wicketkeeper-batsman has lost his temper, thrown up a fit and raged at the wrong time. Largely that has defined Rahim to the social media world, the world of trolls, who seemingly revisit the haunted past to trigger the narrative around the Bangladesh batsman.

That’s where the numbers tell you the story, the one that doesn’t meet the social-media narrative that surrounds. Since the start of January 1, 2019 - amongst the middle-order batsmen (No.4 and No.5), Rahim stands tall as the third-best in the world, behind Ross Taylor and Eoin Morgan. In the two year span, the Bangladesh batsman has piled 943 runs, often being handed the job of resurrection for his side, at an average of 47.15. 

He hasn’t just mended the side, he has transformed the middle-order for the Asian country. In fact, he has also bodied the perfect prototype for a perfect anchor, who could lead the side out of deep waters. On Tuesday, it was yet another such situation for him, his side bent and broken, at 15-2, in the troubled territory, especially considering that the two lost wickets were of Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan. 

Dushmantha Chameera got the ball to talk, Lakshan Sandakan, turned it, either way, to cause more confusion, with Wanindu Hasaranga still waiting in the ranks. And amidst all this confusion, there stood Rahim, who looked like a larger-than-life figure for the hosts. It was an opportunity for Bangladesh, not just to rank up more points for ODI World Cup qualification but to leave an impression, make a stellar statement. They had never beaten Sri Lanka before, in a bilateral series and it was their prime opportunity to do it, Rahim with the past experience of having the wounds of loss. Bangladesh had slipped as they had on several occasions, in New Zealand. Rahim had the most torrid time of his career, 78 runs, at an average of 26, certainly far away from his calibre. 

But just before that, right from the 2019 World Cup, the wicketkeeper-batsman averages 66.57, with him leading the batting charts for the hosts in wins over Sri Lanka - both home and away, Zimbabwe and West Indies in the last two years. In Bangladesh’s last five wins at home, the wicketkeeper has been an integral part of the playing XI, with his batting display. So put under the pressure, it was always going to be him - destiny’s child. 

"My main target was to bat for 50 overs, regardless of how much runs we get in the end," Rahim said in the post-match. 

Since the start of 2019, Rahim has scored 703 runs in winning causes for the Tigers, at a strike rate of 96.83, with one century and six fifties. His experience was invaluable, especially the read of the game, considering how Bangladesh found themselves in both games, with and without him. There is a stark contrast in their approach, without him, much like a headless version of a poultry house. He wasn’t even content with his 125, stating that he wants to improve it further, showing why he stands for consistency.