Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim has surprisingly announced his retirement from the T20I format. Although, he will be available for the ODIs and Tests. The 35-year-old represented his country in 102 T20Is where he scored 1500 runs at an average of 19.5 and a strike rate of 115.
"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 in franchise leagues when the opportunity arrives. Looking forward to proudly represent my nation in the two formats-MR15."
Mushfiqur Rahim tweeted
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
A lot about his retirement will go into the early exit of Bangladesh in the Asia Cup after losing to Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. With the demands of the current T20I cricket, Rahim has found it tough to adapt and there were a lot of talks about the tentative approach of the Bangladesh batting lineup in their first game against Afghanistan.
He did not have the best of tournaments in the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 where he scored 1 and 4 in the two innings he played and could not step up when his team needed.
He took to Twitter to announce his decision and confirmed that he will be available to play in franchise T20 leagues.
Is Rishabh Pant's T20I career nearly over after a horrific IPL 2025?
After a disastrous IPL campaign with 13.73 average, the entire nation has this one question to ask: Is Rishabh Pant's T20I career nearly over after a horrific IPL 2025? Read to know more.
The 2025 IPL season has delivered a brutal reality check for Rishabh Pant. After being picked up by LSG for 27 crore, he turned out to be the most expensive flop of this season.
Can a player sustain an international career after such disappointing performance? Is Rishabh Pant's T20I career nearly over after a horrific IPL 2025?
Let's dive into the cold facts.
The disappointing IPL 2025 numbers
Rishabh Pant slipping down the pitch during a match in IPL 2025. Image | Facebook
Rishabh Pant was picked up by Lucknow Super Giants as the most expensive player in IPL history for ₹27 crore, which proved to be totally not worth it. He only managed to score 151 runs in 13 matches with an average of 13.73 and a strike rate barely crossing 107.
He is the lowest scorer among all the LSG batters in IPL 2025. Apart from batting performance, he also failed as a captain. The team only won 6 matches out of 13 and lost their playoffs berth under Pant's captaincy.
Pant's questionable descision-making, poor shot selections, and a complete lack of form did not justify the big price tag ahead in the auction.
The T20I context: India's current pool and future outlook
Rishabh Pant's position is now critically questionable as India's T20 squad selection prioritizes consistency in batting, high strike rates, and adaptable wicket-keeping.
The current pool of contenders are highly competitive and has the potential to outperform Pant.
KL Rahul: His current form in IPL 2025 is magnificent and he has consistently performed well for the team. Rahul's ability to anchor and accelerate has again brought him into T20I contention.
Sanju Samson: Yet another prime contender with high experience and quality performance. He also holds the ability to blend well into the format.
Dhruv Jurel: A promising young talent who also has the ability to make impactful finish for the team.
Ishan Kishan: The pocket dynamo who started his IPL 2025 season with a phenomenal century, and gained his spot in BCCI's central contract (2025), is another strong contender.
Where Rishabh Pant fits (or doesn't fit):
Rishabh Pant playing for team India in T20Is. Image | TOI
Following the poor performance of Rishabh Pant, several known names have speculated about his mental state and his inability to deal pressure. The former Indian cricketer, Kris Srikkanth, also suggested that Pant should consider taking a break from his format.
The modern T20 format demands a lot of things that Pant is completely missing:
Insufficient strike rate
Lack of clarity in shot-making
Inability to convert build innings
Diminished reliability as wicketkeeper-batter
No longer an unique left-handed power option
Difficulty handling run-rate pressure
Pant is missing the "X-factor" that he once possessed. Therefore, unless his form significantly improves soon and makes a comeback, his T20 career is effectively over.
Esha Oza currently holds the record for most centuries in WT20Is, with four centuries in the format. Explore the list of players with such century records!
Scoring a century in any form of cricket is a moment of glory, but in the fast-paced format of T20s, it gets more exciting to watch. Numerous cricketers have consistently proved themselves in this format by delivering spectacular tons.
The list goes deep as we have such power-hitters from around the globe!
Join us as we explore the list of players with most centuries in WT20Is and celebrate their glorious innings.
1. Esha Oza (4 centuries) | UAE
Esha Oza in action against Sri Lanka in Asia Cup 2024. Image | ESPNcricinfo
The current captain of UAE, Esha Oza, holds the record for most centuries in WT20Is with 4 centuries in her T20 career so far. This Indian-born cricketer made her debut in T20Is in 2018 and reached this milestone extremely fast.
She is also the fastest player from UAE to reach 1000 runs in T20Is. Her fourth century in T20Is came against Qatar in the Asia Cup qualifier, where she led her team to a brilliant victory.
Chamari Athapaththu celebrating her 113 off 66 balls against Australia in 2019. Image | ESPNcricinfo
Chamari Athapaththu, the current captain of Sri Lanka national team, holds the 2nd position in this list with her 3 centuries in WT20Is. She is one of the finest cricketers from Sri Lanka and led them to win the 2024 Asia Cup.
Chamari scored her first hundred in T20Is in 2019 against Australia. She scored the other following centuries in 2024 against Scotland and Malaysia.
Fatuma Kibasu celebrating her century in 2019. Image | Facebook
The former captain of Tanzania, Fatuma Kibasu, holds the 3rd position with her 3 centuries in WT20Is. She is the only Tanzanian woman to score a century at international level so far, and holds the highest individual score for her country in WT20Is.
Fatuma made her T20 debut in 2019 and played magnificently ever since!
From head-to-head stats, possible lineups, and fantasy team predictions, get everything on our match preview ahead of the Bangladesh vs New Zealand Champions Trophy 2025 match.
Match Details
Match: Bangladesh vs New Zealand
Tournament: ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Match No. 6
Date: 24 February 2025
Time: 2.30 pm IST
Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
How to watch the match?
Cricket fans from India can watch the Bangladesh vs New Zealand match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 live on Star Sports TV Channel Network in multiple languages. Moreover, they can stream the match live on JioHotstar App and Website with a paid subscription.
Bangladesh vs New Zealand Head-to-head in ODIs
Bangladesh and New Zealand have competed against each other 45 times in ODIs. New Zealand leads the rivalry with 33 wins, while Bangladesh has recorded 11 victories. One match ended without a result.
This will be the first match of the ongoing Champions Trophy in Rawalpindi, and the pitch is reportedly expected to be friendly for batting.
Batters may enjoy the good bounce and carry on this surface, allowing them to execute their strokes effectively. We may witness a high-scoring game.
On the bowling front, pacers will likely extract some movement early with the new ball, while spinners will come into play during the middle overs as the pitch wears down.
Team News and Recent Form: Bangladesh
Towhid Hridoy scored his maiden ODI century against India. (Image Credit | ICC)
Bangladesh suffered a tough defeat against India in their opening game of the Champions Trophy 2025. While batting first, Bangladesh only managed to post 228 on the scorecard in 49.4 overs, losing all wickets.
Towhid Hridoy (100 off 118) and Jaker Ali (68 off 114) helped Bangladesh survive their innings, but India chased down the score in 46.3 overs, winning the game by six wickets.
The match against New Zealand is a do-or-die game for the Bangladesh cricket team, as another defeat will knock them out of the tournament.
As of now, things might look much tougher for Bangladesh, but the Bengal Tigers will boost their confidence by recalling the 9-wicket victory against the Kiwis on December 23rd, 2023.
Given the performance against India despite a defeat, the Bangladesh team is expected to field an unchanged eleven.
New Zealand won by 60 runs against Pakistan in the opening match. (Image Credit | ICC)
New Zealand commenced their Champions Trophy quest in style, dominantly beating the hosts Pakistan in the opening game in Karachi. Tom Latham (118* off 104) and Will Young (107 off 113) produced two magnificent centuries to lead the Kiwis to a mammoth total of 320/5 in 50 overs.
In response, New Zealand bowlers bowled out Pakistan on 260 in 47.2 overs. Will O'Rourke (9-0-47-3), accompanied by Mitchell Santner (10-0-66-3) and Matt Henry (7.2-1-25-2) inspired the Kiwis to win the game by 60 runs.
However, New Zealand will look to ensure their semi-final berth with a second consecutive win, not leaving any pressure before taking on India in the final group game.
With Rachin Ravindra not being fit, New Zealand will likely opt for an unchanged line-up against Bangladesh.
Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman
New Zealand
Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Micheal Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (C), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Will O'Rourke
Fantasy team prediction: Bangladesh vs New Zealand
Tom Latham (wk), Will Young, Devon Conway, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Taskin Ahmed, Mistafizur Rahman, Rishad Hossain
Bangladesh vs India Champions Trophy 2025 Match Report: Shami's five-wicket haul and Gill's patient ton hand India comfortable win
Shubman Gill scored his 8th and second consecutive ODI ton as India comfortably defeated Bangladesh in their first game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
India started their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a win over Bangladesh on Thursday in Dubai. Despite a ton from Towhid Hridoy, Mohammad Shami's five-wicket haul had restricted Bangladesh to 228 in the first inning. Shubman Gill then scored his 8th ODI ton to take India home with six wickets in hands and 21 balls remaining. Here are the highlights of the Bangladesh vs India match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Shami gave India a perfect start
Mohammad Shami dismissed Sarkar on duck. Image | Associated Press
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and decided to put runs on the board. With three pacers in the team and two excellent spinners, they were confident to defend anything on that Dubai wicket, which everyone knew would get slower with time.
However, to put pressure on a team like India, the Tigers needed at least a respectable total on the board. A fiery opening spell from Mohammad Shami and Harshit Rana put them in a spot of bother. Shami nicked off Soumya Sarkar in the first over on a duck while captain Shanto was sent back by Rana in the next over on a duck as well.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz (5) tried to build a partnership with Tanzid Hasan but Shami got the better of him in the seventh over.
Rohit messed up Axar's hat-trick
Axar Patel dismissed Tanzid Hasan and Rahim on back-to-back balls. Image | Associated Press
Post that wicket, Axar Patel was brought into the attack by Rohit Sharma and he nearly became the first Indian bowler to get a hat-trick in an ICC event for India. Patel first removed Tanzid Hasan on 25. KL Rahul took a sharp catch behind the stumps. In the next ball, Mushfiqur Rahim edged one to Rahul to bring Axar on a hat-trick.
In the hat-trick ball, Axar did what he could have done, but Rohit Sharma missed an easy catch at the first slip to dismiss the historical moment.
Record partnership from Hridoy and Ali
Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali put up a record 154-run partnership for a the 6th wicket. Image | AFP
From being 35/5, Jaker Ali and Towhid Hridoy put up a massive 154-run partnership, which is the highest 6th-wicket partnership for Bangladesh in ODI cricket. But, the scenes would not have been the same if Hardik Pandya had not dropped Hridoy on 24 in the 20th over.
Shami with a five-fer
Not only that two overs later, KL Rahul missed a stumping chance of Jaker Ali on 24. Finally, Mohammad Shami was able to break the partnership as Jaker Ali tried to change gears against Shami’s off-cutter on 68 off 114 balls.
Shami became the fastest bowlers in tems of ball bowled to take 200 ODI wickets.
Rishad Hossain tried to score a few quick runs but Harshit Rana got the better of him with a short ball in the 46th over. Bangladesh would have gotten more runs if Towhid Hridoy had not cramped badly. The right-handed batter nearly had to drag himself out of the crease to complete his runs. He was on the ground in agonising pain multiple times.
Towhid Hridoy scored his maiden ODI ton, fighting cramps. Image | ICC
Hridoy though kept himself going and completed his maiden ODI ton even under tremendous pain. He was finally caught in the short fine leg on 100 off Harshit Rana as Bangladesh finished on 228 in the first inning.
Flying start to India's inning
Rohit and Gill put scored 69 in first powerplay. Image | ICC
In the break, Axar Patel stated that the wickets got slower as the ball got older. So, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill at the top of the order, it was quite evident they would have gone for some quick runs against the pacers.
They did that as India reached 69 runs in the first powerplay but lost Rohit Sharma on 41 off 36 in the second last ball of the powerplay. Rohit tried to clear in the circle, but could not connect the short ball from Taskin and was caught around the edge of the circle. Rohit went back to the dressing room but not before becoming the second fastest to score 11000 ODI runs.
Bangladeshi spinners controlled the middle overs
Rishad Hossain and Mehdy Hasan Miraz celebrate the wicket of Virat Kohli. Image | ICC
Virat Kohlicame at number three and soon Shanto brought his spinners Miraz and Rishad to stop the modern master. The plan fell into place as well and Kohli (22) was caught at backward point while trying a cut shot against Rishad.
However, Shubman Gill looked apart as he scored his fourth consecutive ODI fifty. Shreyas Iyer came at number four and after a few good-looking strokes, was outfoxed by a slower one from Mustafizur Rahaman on 15 from 17 balls.
With spinners bowling at random, India sent Axar Patel at number five as the run flow got stuck as well. It looked like India were waiting for the spell of spinners to finish. But, Patel could resist the wrong one from Risahd and top-edged to put the match somewhat level.
Gill hit back-to-back ODI ton to take India home. Image | ICC
Bangladesh could have made things worse for India if Jaker Ali would not have missed an easy catch at deep mid-wicket on 7 in the 37th over.
With the net run rate being around 4 and 5, India decided to go slow and steady. Gill and Rahul started accumulating singles and doubles with a boundary here and there. They completed their 50-run partnership in 66 balls as Rishad Hossain finished his spell with 38/2 in 10 overs.
As India got close to the target, Gill brought out his big shots and completed his consecutive ODI ton in 125 balls to take India home. Gill was patient and skilful enough to take the game deep and away from Bangladesh with his 8th ODI ton in just 51 games.
Gill remained unbeaten on 101 from 129 balls while Rahul finished off in style with a six as he was undefeated on 41 from 47. India bagged their first win in the Champions Trophy and will face Pakistan in their next game on Sunday.
BAN vs IND: Match Summary
A solid start for Team India in the Champions Trophy!
Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 101* and KL Rahul’s steady 41* guided India to a five-wicket victory over Bangladesh. 🩵🇮🇳
A confident chase to kick off the campaign in style!
India will start their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a clash against neighbours Bangladesh in Dubai on Thursday. It might be astonishing for many but in the last five India vs Bangladesh ODI matches, Bangladesh have won three times while India have won twice.
India vs Bangladesh match details
Match: India vs Bangladesh
Tournament: ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Date: 20 February 2025
Time: 2.30 pm IST
Venue: Dubai
How to watch the India vs Bangladesh match?
Fans from India can watch the India vs Bangladesh match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Star Sports TV Channels in multiple languages. They can also stream the match LIVE on JioHotstar with a paid subscription.
October 19, 2023 – India won by 7 wickets (with 51 balls remaining)
September 15, 2023 – Bangladesh won by 6 runs
December 10, 2022 – India won by 227 runs
December 7, 2022 – Bangladesh won by 5 runs
December 4, 2022 – Bangladesh won by 1 wicket (with 24 balls remaining)
India vs Bangladesh Head-to-head stats in ODIs
India defeated Bangladesh 32 times out of 42 matches they played against them. Image | ICC
India and Bangladesh have faced each other 42 times so far in ODI cricket since 1988. For the first 12 games, Bangladesh did not manage to win a single ODI game against India. The Tigers won their first game against the Men in Blue on December 26, 2004, in Dhaka. Since then they have won 7 more games against India.
India vs Bangladesh Head-to-head stats in ODIs (ICC Events)
Virat Kohli scored his 48th ODI ton when India and Bangladesh met eachother last time in an ICC event ODI match. Image | ICC
In ICC events (ODIs), India and Bangladesh have faced each other six times so far. Except for the famous win for Bangladesh in Port of Spain in the 2007 ODI World Cup, the Tigers have not been able to beat their neighbours any other times in ICC events in ODI format.