Mushfiqur Rahim on Bangladesh’s Test growth and culture shift

Mushfiqur Rahim has completed 21 years in Test cricket and now carries the weight of being Bangladesh’s most experienced voice in the dressing room. The veteran batter is on his first tour of Australia since 2003, playing a central role in a squad that has begun to reshape its approach to the longest format. Bangladesh won their historic first Test in Darwin, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s cricket journey.

During the Darwin victory, Mushfiqur scored 36 runs and shared a crucial 66-run partnership with captain Shanto. The tour continues with the second Test at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay on August 22, 2026, as part of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship.

Mushfiqur has retired from white-ball international cricket and now focuses entirely on Test cricket, where he remains Bangladesh’s all-time leading run-scorer and most capped player. A senior squad member reflected on his irreplaceable role within the team.

“I don’t know what will happen when Mushfiqur bhai will not be around,” one senior Bangladeshi player was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

Mushfiqur’s strategic guidance after Darwin

Mushfiqur has undergone a personal transformation over his two decades in the sport. Early in his career, he was emotionally driven, with his mood swinging based on his batting performance. Over time, he has become better at handling personal disappointment and sharing learnings with teammates, making him a steadying influence in the squad. He has drawn on his experience to guide younger players through challenging moments.

“The last biggest win that we had in Mount Maunganui, if I am not wrong, we had just one target: to win one session (at a time),” Mushfiqur said.

“Every time we go there, we compete. It doesn’t matter the condition, it doesn’t matter what pitch. They [the opponents] are also human beings. So, just remember that if you stick to your process, and have faith in the Almighty, the result will take care of itself,” he continued.

The Darwin victory has reinforced the importance of consistency and incremental improvement within the Bangladesh squad. Mushfiqur emphasised that repeating such success requires sustained effort and a clear methodology. He reflected on the need to build on this achievement rather than rest on it.

The shift in Bangladesh’s dressing room culture

The most significant change Mushfiqur has witnessed in Bangladesh’s Test cricket over the past four to five years is a fundamental shift in how players view their individual and collective responsibilities. Once the dressing room was marked by isolated performers, it has evolved into a unit where multiple players possess match-winning capability and a genuine desire to improve together.

“There’s improvement – sky is only the limit. You can enjoy (the win in Darwin) but the next thing is how can we repeat this again? The only formula is one: day in, day out,” Mushfiqur opined.

“What I can take from this group, especially the red-ball group, are some great memories. So, I am really proud. And the biggest change that I have seen from the last four, five years is that individually, you all want to improve yourself which is very, very important,” Mushfiqur concluded.

The culture Mushfiqur seeks to nurture extends beyond statistics and performance metrics. It centres on mutual support, shared learning and a collective commitment to team success. This philosophy represents a departure from the individualistic approach that characterised earlier phases of Bangladesh’s Test cricket.

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