Mushfiqur Rahim has etched his name into the annals of cricketing history with a historic century in his 100th Test match, a feat few players around the world ever achieve. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter endured more than 17 anxious hours stranded on 99 not out after the final ball of day one was bowled, leaving the cricketing nation holding its breath for a single, decisive stroke.
As the sun rose over the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on the second morning, Mushfiqur returned to the crease with a calm yet resolute determination. With the weight of national expectation upon his shoulders, he wasted no time. In the very first over of the day, he nudged a gentle push into the leg side and raised his arms to the skies—a moment of pure elation that immediately became iconic. It was more than just a hundred; it was a historic milestone that confirmed his place among cricketing legends.
In doing so, Mushfiqur became the first Bangladeshi cricketer to play 100 Tests, and he celebrated the landmark in the grandest fashion possible. His century in this centenary match places him among an elite group of just ten other players worldwide who have scored hundreds in their 100th Test. The list reads like a hall of fame: Colin Cowdrey, Gordon Greenidge, Javed Miandad, Alec Stewart, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Ricky Ponting, Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Joe Root, and David Warner. Notably, Root and Warner went one step further, converting their landmark centuries into double hundreds—a tantalising possibility that still lies ahead for Mushfiqur as the match continues.
At 38 years and six months, Mushfiqur is the second-oldest player to reach a century in his 100th Test, only surpassed by West Indies’ Gordon Greenidge, who was just shy of 39 when he achieved the feat in 1988. Mushfiqur’s innings also marked his 13th Test century, reinforcing his position as Bangladesh’s leading Test centurion—a record he shares with Mominul Haque, who has 13 hundreds from 75 matches.
The manner in which Mushfiqur reached three figures was a testament to his experience, discipline, and calm temperament. Facing 195 deliveries, he struck just five boundaries, focusing on measured accumulation rather than flamboyance. His approach was pragmatic and composed, perfectly suited to the magnitude of the occasion.
Bangladesh had found themselves in early trouble on day one, losing three wickets for just 95 runs. Mushfiqur’s partnership with Mominul Haque, yielding 107 runs, repaired the innings and steadied the team. Following Mominul’s departure for 63, Mushfiqur constructed yet another valuable partnership, this time with Liton Das. The pair added an unbroken 90 runs before stumps, ensuring that Bangladesh ended the day in a position of relative control.
This innings epitomised Mushfiqur’s career-long traits: resilience, longevity, and unwavering consistency. For nearly two decades, he has been a pillar for Bangladesh cricket, often rescuing the side from precarious positions. Scoring a century in his 100th Test was therefore not only symbolic but entirely fitting.
As the match unfolds, Mushfiqur still has the opportunity to enter an even rarer chapter in cricket history by converting this century into a double hundred in his centenary Test. Regardless of what comes next, however, his historic knock has already immortalised him as one of Bangladesh’s greatest cricketers, a true national icon whose achievements will inspire generations to come.
