Bangladesh cricket icon Mushfiqur Rahim added a golden chapter to his illustrious career by scoring a determined century in his 100th Test match, a milestone that only a handful of cricketers in the sport’s long history have achieved.
Playing against Ireland at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, Mushfiqur resumed Day 2 of the Test with 99 not out, carrying forward his composed batting from the previous day. It took him just nine balls on the second morning to reach the historic landmark, raising his bat to the applause of teammates, fans, and an entire cricketing nation that has witnessed his evolution over two decades.
His century marked a personal triumph and placed him among an exclusive list of cricketers who have reached three figures in their 100th Test—a feat rarely seen in the game. Mushfiqur is now the 11th player in Test history to accomplish this, joining some of the greatest names ever to play the sport. This achievement further cements his reputation as one of Bangladesh’s finest batters, known for his technical finesse, mental strength, and unmatched commitment to the national side.
With this innings, Mushfiqur now has 13 Test centuries to his name, putting him level with Mominul Haque for the most Test hundreds by a Bangladeshi cricketer. His 13 hundreds come from 182 test innings, showcasing his consistency across various eras of Bangladesh cricket. For years, Mushfiqur has been the backbone of the middle order, adapting to different conditions, oppositions, and match situations. His ability to anchor the innings or play counterattacking knocks as required has made him indispensable to the team.
Scoring a century in the 100th Test is a milestone first achieved in 1968 by England’s Colin Cowdrey, one of the pioneers of the modern batting era. Since then, some legendary players have entered this elite club: Pakistan’s Javed Miandad, West Indies’ Gordon Greenidge, England’s Alec Stewart, Pakistan’s Inzamam-ul-Haq, Australia’s Ricky Ponting, South Africa’s Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla, England’s Joe Root, and Australia’s David Warner. Notably, Ponting remains the only cricketer to score centuries in both innings of his 100th Test—a record considered almost unmatchable.
Mushfiqur’s entry into this distinguished list is a testament to his longevity and resilience in international cricket. Debuting in the mid-2000s, he has now completed a Test career that has stretched for nearly 20 years. Among players who debuted in the 2000s, only three have enjoyed such long Test careers—Mushfiqur Rahim, England’s James Anderson, and Zimbabwe’s Brendan Taylor. This rare longevity highlights not only his physical fitness but also his mental strength and ability to stay relevant in a changing cricketing landscape.
Mushfiqur Rahim has served in various roles for Bangladesh throughout his career. He captained the national Test team in 34 matches, providing leadership during a crucial transitional phase. As a wicketkeeper, he has played 55 Tests behind the stumps, a role demanding heavy physical and mental workload. Yet despite the responsibilities of leadership and wicketkeeping, it is his batting that has defined his legacy.
His dedication to becoming one of the nation’s premier run-scorers is evident in the statistics—he remains the only Bangladeshi batter to cross 6,000 Test runs. His batting average of 38.02, the second best among Tigers batters with more than 1,000 runs, reflects his ability to deliver in varied and often challenging conditions.
Mushfiqur’s 100th Test century also adds to the pride of Bangladesh’s cricketing history. In a country where cricket is not just a sport but a major part of its cultural identity, such moments inspire countless young players. His journey from a promising teenager to one of the most dependable Test batters in the country stands as an example of dedication, focus, and hard work.
The innings against Ireland reinforced what Bangladesh cricket fans have long known—Mushfiqur Rahim is not just an experienced player; he is one of the true pillars of the nation’s cricketing success.
Only a select group of cricketing greats have scored a century in their 100th Test, and Mushfiqur now earns his place among them.
The complete list includes:
- Colin Cowdrey vs Australia (1968);
- Javed Miandad vs India (1989);
- Gordon Greenidge vs England (1990);
- Alec Stewart vs West Indies (2000);
- Inzamam-ul-Haq vs India (2005);
- Ricky Ponting vs South Africa (2006);
- Graeme Smith vs England (2012);
- Hashim Amla vs Sri Lanka (2017);
- Joe Root vs India (2021);
- David Warner vs South Africa (2022);
and now Mushfiqur Rahim vs. Ireland (2025).
Mushfiqur’s century is more than a statistical achievement—it represents his journey, his sacrifices, and his immense contribution to Bangladesh cricket. As he continues his career, this milestone will stand as one of his proudest moments and one of the most cherished memories in Bangladesh’s Test cricket history.
