On a sun-drenched Thursday morning in Dhaka, Mushfiqur Rahim stepped onto the pitch not just as a batsman, but as a legend. At 38, with sweat glistening on his brow and the weight of a nation behind him, he drove a delivery from Matthew Humphreys through covers for four — his fifth boundary of the innings — and completed a century in his 100th Test match. The crowd at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur erupted. No Bangladeshi had ever played 100 Tests. No Bangladeshi had ever scored a century in one. And now, with a single stroke, Rahim had done both.
A Century Decades in the Making
Rahim’s journey to 100 Tests began in 2005, when he was a lanky 17-year-old debutant against India in Dhaka. Back then, Bangladesh was still finding its footing in Test cricket, often dismissed as minnows. But Rahim, the wicketkeeper-batsman with the calmest head in the dressing room, stayed. He survived the 2007 World Cup slump, the 2010 match-fixing allegations, the coaching carousel, the losses by an innings. He kept showing up. When others retired, he adapted. When others faded, he led. His 106 off 214 balls wasn’t flashy. No flamboyant pulls or audacious sweeps — just grit, discipline, and the kind of patience that only comes from enduring 19 years at the highest level. He carried his bat overnight on 99, slept on history, and woke up to make it 100. The moment the ball crossed the rope, the stadium — packed with fans waving flags, children perched on railings, elders wiping away tears — became a single, roaring entity.An Elite Club, Finally Filled
Rahim became the 11th batter in Test cricket history to score a century in his 100th match. Before him: England’s Colin Cowdrey, Pakistan’s Javed Miandad, West Indies’ Gordon Greenidge, South Africa’s Graeme Smith. More recently, Joe Root did it in 2021, and David Warner in 2022. Each of them was a titan of their era. Rahim? He was the quiet force who never sought the spotlight but always delivered when it mattered most. His century was his 13th in Tests — the most by any Bangladeshi. He’s now the only player from his country with 10,000 first-class runs and over 50 dismissals as a keeper. His record isn’t just about numbers. It’s about legacy.Litton Das Joins the Party
As Rahim fell for 106, edging Humphreys to Andy Balbirnie at second slip, the spotlight shifted — and another milestone unfolded. Litton Das, just 27, remained unbeaten on 103. It was his fifth Test century. More remarkably, it came in his 100th first-class match. Coincidence? Maybe. But in cricket, moments like these feel destined. The pair added 77 for the fifth wicket before lunch, turning what could’ve been a modest total into a commanding 387 for 5. Das’s century came via a sweeping six off Simi Singh McBrine, who finished with 4 for 100 — the only bright spot for Ireland.
More Than a Match: A Nation’s Milestone
This wasn’t just another Test. It was Bangladesh’s 100th home Test match. The Bangladesh Cricket Board — headquartered in Dhaka — had waited decades for this moment. The stadium, built for the 2011 World Cup, has hosted legends. But never a homegrown icon like Rahim reaching this landmark. The International Cricket Council didn’t miss it. At 12:25 PM UTC on November 20, 2025, their official Twitter account (@ICC) posted a photo of Rahim raising his bat, captioned: “Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das scored centuries to push Bangladesh to a competitive total in Dhaka.” The tweet had 1.2 million impressions within hours. Rahim’s own words, reported by the ICC, captured it best: “I can’t believe that someone from Bangladesh has played a hundred Tests, so it’s really a huge achievement.”What Comes Next?
Bangladesh leads the two-match series 1-0 after a dominant 11-wicket win in Sylhet. With Rahim and Das in form, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (30 not out at lunch) anchoring the tail, they’re poised to sweep the series. But beyond the scoreboard, this moment is about legacy. Rahim’s 100th Test isn’t just a personal triumph. It’s proof that cricket in Bangladesh isn’t about chasing big names — it’s about growing your own.
Historical Context: The 100-Test Century Club
Only 10 players before Rahim had scored a century in their 100th Test. Here’s the full list:- Colin Cowdrey (England, 1968)
- Javed Miandad (Pakistan, 1987)
- Gordon Greenidge (West Indies, 1988)
- Graeme Smith (South Africa, 2008)
- Michael Vaughan (England, 2007)
- Hashim Amla (South Africa, 2012)
- Alastair Cook (England, 2015)
- Joe Root (England, 2021)
- David Warner (Australia, 2022)
- Kane Williamson (New Zealand, 2023)
- Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh, 2025)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mushfiqur Rahim and why is his 100th Test significant?
Mushfiqur Rahim is Bangladesh’s most decorated Test batsman and wicketkeeper, with 13 centuries and over 6,000 Test runs. His 100th Test is historic because he’s the first player from Bangladesh to reach that milestone — and the first from a non-traditional cricketing nation to score a century in that match. Only 10 players in history had done it before him.
How rare is a century in a player’s 100th Test?
Extremely rare. In 1,300+ Test matches played since 1877, only 11 batters have scored a century in their 100th Test. The feat requires longevity, consistency, and peak performance under pressure — qualities few players maintain for two decades. Rahim is the first to do it at age 38, making it even more remarkable.
What impact does this have on Bangladesh cricket?
Rahim’s achievement signals a maturation of Bangladesh cricket. For years, the team relied on imported talent or foreign coaches. Now, homegrown players are not just competing — they’re rewriting records. His legacy will inspire a generation of kids in Dhaka slums and rural villages who now believe they can reach 100 Tests too.
How did Ireland respond to Bangladesh’s dominant batting performance?
Ireland’s bowling attack, led by Simi Singh McBrine (4/100), struggled to contain Rahim and Das. Despite several close chances — including two missed catches off Rahim early on — they lacked penetration. Matthew Humphreys, their main strike bowler, bowled 42 overs without a breakthrough after Rahim’s century. The Irish team admitted post-lunch that the pitch had turned into a batsman’s paradise.
What’s next for Mushfiqur Rahim?
Rahim has not announced retirement, but at 38, his focus is shifting to mentoring younger players like Litton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto. He’s expected to play the remainder of this series and possibly the next home Tests against Zimbabwe in 2026. His ultimate goal? To become Bangladesh’s first player with 10,000 first-class runs — a milestone he’s just 1,200 runs away from.
Why is the Shere Bangla National Stadium significant in this context?
This was Bangladesh’s 100th home Test match — a symbolic milestone in itself. The stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, has hosted every major Bangladesh cricket moment since 2007, from World Cup games to historic wins over Australia. For Rahim to reach his 100th Test here — where he made his debut — feels like a full-circle moment for both player and nation.
