On a humid Thursday morning in Dhaka, Mushfiqur Rahim stepped onto the pitch not just to bat — but to make history. At 37, the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman, who first donned the Bangladesh cap in 2005 at Lord’s, reached exactly 106 runs in his 100th Test match, becoming the first Bangladeshi and only the 11th player in cricket history to score a century in his century of Tests. The moment came on the ninth ball of the day, a single off Ireland’s Jordan Neill, after he’d been stranded on 99 overnight. No applause was needed; the silence in the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium was thick with reverence. Then, as if the crowd remembered its voice, it erupted.
A Century Forged in Patience
Mushfiqur didn’t blaze his way to 100. He carved it. From 195 deliveries, he moved with the precision of a man who’d spent two decades mastering the art of survival. He faced 25 balls in the first over of the day — a maiden from Matthew Humphreys — before finally finding the boundary. His innings was a masterclass in temperament: no flamboyance, no recklessness. Just steady, unyielding concentration. He’d survived a close lbw appeal in the morning, the umpire’s finger staying down, and he never looked back.
What made it more remarkable? He wasn’t alone. At the other end, Litton Das, 29, was playing his own symphony. He reached his fifth Test century — his first since December 2024 — with a delicate paddle sweep off Gavin Hoye, the ball kissing the fine-leg boundary. The two shared 108 runs for the fifth wicket, the highest partnership by any Bangladesh pair in Test history, surpassing even the legendary duo of Mushfiqur and Shakib Al Hasan, who had combined for five century stands before.
Behind the Numbers: Bangladesh’s Batting Masterclass
When play resumed on Day 2, Bangladesh sat at 292-4. By lunch, they were 387-5. That’s 95 runs in 47 overs — not explosive, but devastatingly effective. Mominul Haque had laid the foundation with 63 before falling in the 64th over. Then came the quiet revolution: Mushfiqur and Litton, two men who’ve carried this team through its most turbulent years, now anchoring it with quiet authority.
Even after Mushfiqur was dismissed by left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys in the 99th over — a rare lapse in concentration, caught at mid-wicket — the momentum didn’t break. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the all-rounder, walked in at 3-1 and stayed unbeaten on 30, adding 77 with Litton in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand. That partnership alone is the third-highest for Bangladesh in any Test innings this decade.
Ireland’s Struggle in the Shadows
For Ireland national cricket team, it was a day of frustration. Their captain, Paul Stirling, rotated his attack with desperation. Andy McBrine, the 30-year-old off-spinner, was the only one to make an impact — taking four wickets for 106 runs. But even he couldn’t contain the flow. The pace bowlers, Jordan Neill and Gavin Hoye, were carved for boundaries. The spinners, including 25-year-old Matthew Humphreys, were hit with quiet efficiency. No one could replicate the control of McBrine. And no one could stop the rhythm.
“They didn’t give us anything,” said an exhausted Stirling after lunch. “We bowled decent lines, but they just… waited. And then punished.”
History in the Making
Mushfiqur’s century places him among an elite group of 11. The others? Sunil Gavaskar, Graham Gooch, Kumar Sangakkara, Jacques Kallis, Rahul Dravid, Alastair Cook, Mahela Jayawardene, Ricky Ponting, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Michael Vaughan, and now — Mushfiqur Rahim. He’s the first from a Full Member nation that wasn’t among the traditional cricketing giants. The first from a country that didn’t even play Test cricket until 2000.
This isn’t just about runs. It’s about legacy. Bangladesh cricket has grown from laughingstock to contender, and Mushfiqur has been there for every step — the 2007 World Cup upset, the 2015 win over England, the 2022 Asia Cup final. Now, he’s the first from his nation to reach this milestone. His 13th Test century? It’s the most by any Bangladeshi. Ever.
What Comes Next?
With Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz still at the crease, Bangladesh could push past 500. Ireland, bowled out for 218 in their first innings, now face a daunting task to avoid the follow-on. The pitch, still true, offers little help to the bowlers. And with the second innings looming, Bangladesh’s dominance feels inevitable.
But beyond the scoreboard, this day will be remembered for something quieter: a 37-year-old man, playing his 100th Test, choosing to bat with patience when the world expected fireworks. He didn’t need to prove anything. But he did it anyway — for his country, for his teammates, and for every kid in Bangladesh who dreams of holding a bat like he does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the other 10 cricketers to score a century in their 100th Test?
The 10 others are Sunil Gavaskar, Graham Gooch, Kumar Sangakkara, Jacques Kallis, Rahul Dravid, Alastair Cook, Mahela Jayawardene, Ricky Ponting, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, and Michael Vaughan. All played for traditional Test powers. Mushfiqur Rahim is the first from a nation that gained Test status in 2000, making his achievement even more groundbreaking.
How significant is the 108-run partnership between Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das?
It’s the highest fifth-wicket partnership by any Bangladesh pair in Test history, surpassing the previous record of 107 by Mushfiqur and Shakib Al Hasan in 2018. It’s also the first time two Bangladesh batsmen have recorded five century stands together — a milestone that underscores their consistency over a decade of international cricket.
Why is this match important for Bangladesh cricket?
This win would be Bangladesh’s third consecutive Test victory over Ireland, reinforcing their status as a top-tier Test side. More importantly, it signals a generational shift: veterans like Mushfiqur are still leading, but younger players like Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz are stepping up — proving Bangladesh’s depth isn’t just theoretical.
What’s Mushfiqur Rahim’s career record in Test cricket?
Mushfiqur has played 99 Tests before this match, scoring 5,727 runs at an average of 38.17, with 12 centuries and 33 fifties. He’s the second-highest run-scorer for Bangladesh in Tests, behind only Shakib Al Hasan. His 106 in this match was his 13th century — the most by any Bangladeshi — and his 27th fifty.
How did the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium pitch behave?
The pitch offered consistent bounce and minimal turn, favoring batsmen throughout. Spinners like McBrine and Humphreys found some grip later, but the surface was never treacherous. This allowed Bangladesh’s top order to build innings methodically — a stark contrast to the abrasive pitches seen in places like Mirpur in 2023, which favored pace.
What’s next for Bangladesh and Ireland in this series?
The two-match Test series concludes in Chittagong next week. With Bangladesh already leading 1-0, they’re poised to clinch their first-ever bilateral Test series win over Ireland. For Ireland, avoiding a 2-0 sweep will require a miraculous batting turnaround — and possibly a pitch that offers more assistance to their spinners.
