Early Life and Family

Mushfiqur Rahim was born on June 9, 1987, in Bogra, Bangladesh. He was born to Mahbub Habib and Rahima Khatun and finished his secondary education at Bogra Zilla School. While playing cricket, he studied history at Jahangirnagar University. He passed his master's degree in 2012. Rahim is a fan of the Spanish football club FC Barcelona. He is a fan of Argentinian player Messi. He married Jannatul Kifayet Mondi in 2014. Mondi is the sister of Mahmudullah's wife Jannatul Kawsar Mishti. Rahim had a son, Mayan, in 2018.

Early Career

Before playing for the national team, Rahim played for Bangladesh U19. He represented them in three Youth Tests and 18 Youth One Day Internationals (ODIs) between 2004 and 2006, averaging 31.75 and 36.00 with the racquet in their respective formats. Rahim trained at the Bangladesh Institute of Sports.

During the U-19 Cricket World Cup 2006, held in Sri Lanka in February, Rahim captained the Bangladesh side which included future internationals Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal, among others. Rahim was one of two players in the tournament with experience in friendly matches. Under his leadership, Bangladesh reached the quarterfinals of the tournament. Later that month, Rahim was called up to the senior Test squad for the first time since the 2005 tour of England. He was selected as a specialist batsman, with Khaled Mashud selected as wicket-keeper for the series against Sri Lanka.

Domestic and T20 Franchise Career

At the national level, he represents the Rajshahi Division. In T20 cricket, Mushfiqur played all runs for Bangladesh, Bangladesh A, Duronto Rajshahi, Nagenahira Nagas, Sylhet Royals, Chittagong Vikings, Karachi Kings, Barishal Bulls, Rajshahi Kings, Nangharhar Leopards, Khulna Tigers and Beximco Dhaka.

National Cricket League

In December 2010, Rahim had his best result in a one-day match. While playing for Rajshahi in the National Cricket League, he made 114 deliveries from 120 as his team lost by 8 runs.

Rahim represents the Rajshahi Division in domestic cricket and has over 6500 first-class runs to his name including twelve half-centuries and thirty four centuries.

Bangladesh Cricket League

In the game against the Central Zone, Mushi received his first first-class wicket, dismissing Nurul Hasan, who was playing for the North Zone, when he returned bowling numbers of 1-23 in 10 overs.

Bangladesh Premier League

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) established the six-team Bangladesh Premier League in 2012, a 20-over tournament scheduled to take place in February of the same year. The BCB made Mushfiq the "iconic player" for Duronto Rajshahi. Under his leadership, Duronto overcame a poor start and reached the semifinals where they lost to Barisal Burners; Rahim contributed 234 runs from 11 matches.

In January 2013 he was drafted into the Sylhet Royals squad for the 2012-13 Bangladesh Premier League. He was the tournament's leading runs scorer with 440 runs in 13 games at a 40.40 average.

In November 2016, he was drafted into the Barisal Bulls squad for the 2016–17 Bangladesh Premier League. With 341 runs in 12 games at a 37.88 average spanning two and a half centuries, he was one of the leading run scorers in the tournament.

In October 2018, he was called up to the Chittagong Vikings team squad following the draft for the 2018–19 Bangladesh Premier League. With 426 runs in thirteen games, he was the team's leading run-scorer in the tournament.

In November 2019, he was selected to play for the Khulna Tigers in the 2019–20 Bangladesh Premier League. He was the second-highest run scorer in that tournament, scoring 491 runs in 14 games with an average of 70.14 spanning 4 half centuries. In game 40 of the tournament, he also had his career-high 98-car unbeaten run against the Cumilla Warriors.

Afghanistan Premier League

In September 2018, he was called up to Nangarhar's squad for the first edition of the Afghanistan Premier League tournament.

Bangabandhu T20 Cup

He played for Beximco Dhaka in Bangabandhu T20 Cup 2020-21.

International Career

Rahim was chosen for Bangladesh's 2005 tour of England. It was Bangladesh's first tour of England where they faced unfamiliar conditions and batsmen struggled with seam bowling and uneven batting throughout the series. Mushfiqur adjusted his hitting style in the warm-up games, playing "consistently late and straight," according to Wisden. He managed to score 63 points against Sussex and failed to score 115 against Northamptonshire in the warm-up games.

Although initially drafted into the squad as a part-time wicket-keeper, his performances in the warm-up games led to his selection for Lord's first Test as a specialist batsman. Rahim, 17, scored 19 points in the first innings and was one of only three batsmen to hit double figures as Bangladesh were sent off with 108 points. After twisting his ankle, he stopped playing on the tour.

Rahim was included in Bangladesh's squad to tour Zimbabwe for five ODIs in 2006. He was one of three uncapped ODI players in the squad alongside all-rounders Farhad Reza and Shakib Al Hasan. He scored his first half-century in Harare against Zimbabwe.

His fine performances led to him being voted first-choice wicket-keeper for the World Championship in the West Indies, ahead of Khaled Mashud.

Rahim was recalled for the second Test against Sri Lanka in July 2007, replacing Mashud. Although Bangladesh lost by one inning and 90 runs, Rahim, along with Mohammad Ashraful - the new captain - scored a record 191 for Bangladesh's sixth wicket partnership. In December 2007, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) awarded Rahim a one-year Class B (third tier) contract, one of 22 core contracts with the board at the time.

After the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup, Rahim suffered a string of poor results including five innings in which he scored four runs in total. As a result, Rahim was dropped in favor of Dhiman Ghosh when South Africa toured for three ODIs in March and Bangladesh went to Pakistan for five ODIs the next month.

Rahim was called up for a three-way series with Pakistan and India and the 2008 Asian Cup. When 17 deals were announced in April 2009, Rahim's contract was renewed, making Rahim Bangladesh's first-choice wicketkeeper.

Vice Captain

Rahim was appointed vice-captain for Bangladesh's tour of Zimbabwe in August 2009. The position was vacated when the previous holder, Shakib Al Hasan, stepped in as captain for the injured Mashrafe Mortaza. Bangladesh won the five-game ODI series 4-1. In the final ODI, Rahim scored 98 runs, surpassing his previous List A game-high score of 58 to help his team win. With 169 runs in the streak and an average of 56.33, Rahim finishes the tour as Bangladesh's fourth-highest run scorer.

Rahim retained the vice-captain for the home Test series against India in January and February 2010. On 21 January, on the fifth day of the first Test, he scored his first Test century and the fastest by a Bangladesh in Test cricket, only from 112 balls, as Bangladesh an Indian Victory was delayed and the last man was out when India won by 113 runs. England toured Bangladesh in February and March for two Tests and three ODIs where Bangladesh lost all two formats. In the series, Rahim was his team's second-highest run scorer. He scored two half-centuries in the first Test, becoming the 6th batter from Bangladesh to accomplish the feat.

After impressing at home, Rahim's performance on the return tour in England in May was expected to be crucial for the rankings. In the Tour, Rahim was able to manage 40 runs from two Tests as Bangladesh's batsmen struggled in English conditions and slumped to a 2-0 loss. At the first ODI of the tour, Rahim was slapped in the face while holding the wicket to spinner Faisal Hossain. An X-ray showed no fractures, but he was rested for a week as a precaution and missed the rest of the series.

In November 2010, BCB announced 16 key contracts. Rahim was one of six players at the top level. In December 2010, Tamim replaced Iqbal Rahim as Bangladesh's vice-captain.

Rahim was included in Bangladesh's 15-man squad for the 2011 World Cup. Bangladesh were eliminated in the group stage and Rahim personally had a poor tournament. There have been suggestions he could be dropped, especially as another wicket-keeper Dhiman Ghosh scored heavily in Bangladesh's domestic competition. In August 2011, Mushfiqur hit 101 from 100 balls, his second century against Zimbabwe not being enough to keep Bangladesh from losing their third five-run one-day streak.

National Captain (2011–2018)

On 20 September 2011, Mushfiqur Rahim was named Bangladesh captain, succeeding Shakib Al Hasan after a disappointing tour of Zimbabwe. The announcement came in the middle of the BCB Cup, a tournament involving senior national team Bangladesh A and a team of academy players. Rahim was already interim captain of Bangladesh in the tournament. Bangladesh A won the competition.

In 2011, the West Indies toured Bangladesh in October for a T20I, three ODIs and two tests. In his first cap as captain, Rahim put on a man-of-the-match performance, scoring 41 not from 26 balls to help his team win. Despite the T20I win, Bangladesh lost the ODI series 2-1. Rahim was Bangladeshi's leading run scorer with 100 including fifty. The following month, Pakistan toured for three ODIs and two Tests. Bangladesh lost the ODI series 3-0, with Rahim managing just 12 runs from three innings.

At the 2012 Asian Cup, under Rahim's captaincy, Bangladesh won two out of three games they played and reached the final for the first time, where they lost to Pakistan. In April, his central contract with a grade of A+ was extended. On March 11, 2013, during the first test of the Sri Lankan tour in Galle, Rahim became the first Bangladeshi to score a double hundred, beating the previous high of 190 set by Mohammed Ashraful earlier in the day.
Rahim announced his retirement as captain on May 8, 2013, but a few days later Mushfiqur revealed he had made a "mistake" and on July 3, 2013, the BCB announced they would retain Mushfiqur as captain until the end of the year.

Rahim continued his captaincy role in 2014, losing to Sri Lanka in a home series. He suffered a finger injury during the series for which he was replaced by Mohammad Mithun in wicketkeeping. He also missed the T20 internationals against Sri Lanka where Mashrafe Mortaza took over as captain. He scored his second one-day cap against India at the start of the 2014 Asian Cup but struggled with his injury in that game.

In the next game against Afghanistan, Rahim continued his fine form but Bangladesh lost the game by 32 runs, the first time they had lost to an associated team since receiving Test status. His team also lost the game against Pakistan in the same tournament despite having scored 326 points, which was their highest ODI score thanks to Shahid Afridi's tapping. They later lost to Sri Lanka in their last game of the series, losing all three games.
Bangladesh qualified for the Super 10 in the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 by winning two of their three qualifying stage matches. But they were eliminated in the Super 10s after losing all four games.

Bangladesh toured the West Indies in August 2014. During the first Test, Mushfiqur scored 116 points in the second inning, earning his third Test century. However, they lost all three ODIs and two Test matches.

In September 2014, the BCB appointed Mortaza as ODI captain, although Rahim retained the post of Test captain. In November 2014, Bangladesh outperformed Zimbabwe in both the three Tests and five ODIs. He was also named Man of the Series for the ODI matches.

During the group stage of the 2015 Cricket World Cup, Bangladesh defeated England to qualify for the second quarter-final. In that game, Mahmudullah Riyad and Mushfiqur Rahim made the highest partnership (141 runs) for each wicket for Bangladesh in a World Cup match, which was also Bangladesh's highest ODI partnership against England.

In the first friendly against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve in January 2017, Rahim was hit on the back of his helmet on Matchday 5 and taken straight to the hospital. The incident happened in the 43rd over of Bangladesh's second inning when Tim Southee bowled a bouncer that hit Rahim just behind the left ear as he tried to duck. Initial x-rays and scans of his neck indicated he was out of immediate danger. After the treatment, Rahim took care of the post-game presentation.

In March 2017, during the second Test against Sri Lanka, Rahim received his 100th dismissal as a wicket-keeper. He was the first wicket-keeper for Bangladesh to reach that milestone.

On 15 October 2017, during the first ODI against South Africa, Rahim became the first batsman for Bangladesh to score an international century against South Africa in any format.

He was selected as the wicketkeeper in Cricinfo's 2017 Test XI.

In November 2018 he scored 219 runs, not against Zimbabwe, becoming the first wicket-keeper-batsman to score two double-hundreds in Test cricket (a third double-hundred coming in 2020). His 219* score is currently the highest single score in a Test innings by a Bangladeshi batsman. Later that same month, against the West Indies, he became the second batter for Bangladesh to hit 4,000 runs in Tests.

Cricket World Cup 2019 and Beyond

In April 2019 he was named to Bangladesh's squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup. In the first innings of Bangladesh's opening game at the World Cup against South Africa, he hit an 80-ball 78, contributing to a 142-run partnership with Shakib Al Hasan at 330/6 from their 50 overs, beating South Africa by 21 runs.

In Bangladesh's next tournament match against New Zealand, Mushfiqur played for Bangladesh in his 350th cap.

In the match against Australia, Mushfiqur scored his first century at the Cricket World Cup. He hit 102* in 97 balls and became the third Bangladesh batter to score a century in the World Cup. Bangladesh also broke the record of their highest total ODI runs in that game, scoring 333 for 8 wickets.
When Zimbabwe toured Bangladesh in February 2020, he hit 203 unbeaten runs, becoming the only Bangladeshi batsman to score three double hundreds in Test cricket.

In December 2020, Mushfiqur was called up to Bangladesh's Test and ODI squad for their series against West Indies. This was Bangladesh's first international series following the Covid-19 pandemic which halted cricket in the country since March 2020.

On May 25, 2021, Mushfiqur scored 125 runs in the second ODI against Sri Lanka and helped his team win the second ODI and also the series (Bangladesh's first series win against Sri Lanka). After winning the game, Mushfiqur became the first and only Bangladeshi player to win 150 caps. He later became the man of the series and had the most runs (237) in the series.

In September 2021, he was named to Bangladesh's squad for the 2021 ICC T20 Men's World Championship.

In March 2023, in the second ODI against Ireland, Mushfiqur Rahim scored the fastest century by a Bangladeshi player in terms of the number of balls faced in an ODI (60). He also became the third Bangladeshi cricketer to score 7,000 runs in ODIs.

Records and Achievements

In November 2018, during the second Test against Zimbabwe, Mushfiqur surpassed legendary wicketkeeper batsmen Adam Gilchrist, Kumar Sangakkara, and MS Dhoni to become the first wicketkeeper-batsman to ever record two double centuries in the Test. He finished his innings on 219*, the highest single score by a Bangladeshi batsman in Test cricket. and faced 421 balls spending 589 minutes at the crease during the innings, a record for a Bangladeshi batsman in a Test inning.

Later that same month against the West Indies, Mushfiqur became the second batter for Bangladesh to hit 4,000 runs in Tests.

Mushfiqur was ranked by ESPN as one of the most famous athletes in the world in 2019.

In February 2020, during the one-off Test against Zimbabwe, Mushfiqur hit 203 runs unbeaten, becoming the first and only Bangladeshi batsman to score three double hundreds in Test cricket.

On December 30, 2020, Mushfiqur was included in Wisden's Teenage Riot Test XI (a team of greats who started young).

On 25 May 2021, Mushfiqur became the first and only Bangladeshi player to win 150 caps in the second ODI against Sri Lanka.

Along with Tamim Iqbal, he is the joint player to be named Man of the Series for the second highest time (5 times), just behind Shakib Al Hasan (who has won the title 6 times).

ICC Player of the Month for May 2021 At the annual ICC Awards in January 2022, he was named to the ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year for 2021. He was also selected as the team's wicketkeeper.

Disciplinary Problems

Rahim was criticized for trying to beat his teammate Nasum Ahmed after an incident in the Bangabandhu T20 Cup eliminator where both were aiming for the same catch. Both fielders avoided a collision and the catch was taken by Rahim. Rahim, who was captain of Beximco Dhaka, was visibly upset with his teammate and threatened to hit his teammate. The video capturing the incident went viral on Twitter. Rahim has since apologized to his teammate and the BCB has fined Rahim 25% of his game fees and given a minus point for the incident.