As Bangladesh gears up to face Ireland in a two-Test series at home, all eyes are on one man, Mushfiqur Rahim. The 38-year-old veteran, who has been a pillar of Bangladesh cricket for two decades, is closing in on a truly historic achievement. When he reaches it, he’ll become the first Bangladeshi cricketer ever to do so, joining an elite list of cricketing greats.
What Milestone Is Mushfiqur Rahim Nearing?
The milestone is what many call the “century club.” Mushfiqur Rahim is set to play his 100th Test match when the second game against Ireland begins on November 19. He entered the series with 98 Tests under his belt, and with the first match now underway, he has 99 to his name. One more toss of the coin, and he will officially become a 100-Test player.
Members of the 100-Test Club
Since 1968, 83 players have reached this milestone. The first was Colin Cowdrey 57 years ago, and the most recent is Mitchell Starc, who joined the club just four months ago. Among Indians, Sunil Gavaskar was the first to achieve it, making him also the first Asian to do so. Mushfiqur will become the 84th member of this prestigious list and the very first from Bangladesh.
That’s a remarkable accomplishment, especially considering that Mushfiqur kept wickets for most of his career. In 2019, he decided to give up wicketkeeping duties to focus solely on batting in Tests, easing his workload.
Mushfiqur Rahim’s Test Career in Numbers
Mushfiqur’s statistics may not fully capture his impact, but they speak volumes about his consistency and commitment. In 181 innings, he has scored 6,328 runs at an average of 38.12, with 15 not-out innings. His record includes 12 centuries and 27 fifties, with a career-best score of 219 not out, still the highest individual score by a Bangladeshi in Test history.
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An Elite Company Awaits
Ireland had originally planned to play just one Test, but the series was later expanded to two matches. That small change opened the door for Mushfiqur’s milestone moment. Once the toss happens in the second Test, he’ll officially join the 100-Test club, a group that already includes some of the greatest names in cricket.
So far, 26 Asian players have made the list, and Mushfiqur will become the 27th. At the top of the pile sits Sachin Tendulkar, who remains the only player in history to feature in 200 Tests.
What’s Next for Mushfiqur Rahim?
In less than four months, Mushfiqur Rahim will turn 39. These days, Test cricket is the only format he still plays. He retired from ODIs after Bangladesh’s Champions Trophy campaign earlier this year, having already stepped away from T20Is following the 2022 T20 World Cup.
As he nears the twilight of his career, fans are wondering how much longer he’ll continue. Whenever he does decide to hang up his boots, it will mark the end of a golden chapter for Bangladesh cricket. Mushfiqur Rahim’s journey has been one of determination, grit, and pride, a legacy that future generations will surely look up to.
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