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Mushfiqur Rahim Hits Century in 100th Test After Heart-Stopping Wait in Dhaka
On the edge of history, with sweat on his brow and a crowd holding its breath, Mushfiqur Rahim finally nudged the ball through square leg — one run, one heartbeat, one monumental moment. It was November 20, 2025, at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, and the 37-year-old wicketkeeper-batter had just become the 11th player in Test cricket history to score a century in his 100th Test match. The wait? 24 agonizing hours. The tension? Unbearable. The celebration? Unforgettable.
A Night Without Sleep, A Day Without Mercy
The drama began on Day 1, November 19, 2025. Rahim, already Bangladesh’s first cricketer to reach 100 Tests, was stranded on 99 not out as the sun dipped behind the floodlights. He’d faced 199 balls, fought through a disciplined Irish attack, and nearly had his milestone sealed in the 90th over. Three runs needed. Two scored. The umpires refused to extend the day despite clear light — a decision confirmed by BSS News. Rahim and his partner, Litton Das (who finished 58 not out), appealed. Denied. The stadium fell silent. Fans left with heavy hearts. Rahim went home. He didn’t sleep.The Moment That Made History
Day 2 began with a single from Das. The strike was Rahim’s. Jordan Neill, Ireland’s relentless off-spinner, bowled a tight, low delivery. The crowd exhaled as the ball rolled to the fine leg boundary. One run. A century. The roar that followed wasn’t just loud — it was cathartic. Fans stood. Players from both sides clapped. Even the Irish bowlers, who’d spent hours grinding down Bangladesh’s top order, joined in. The Daily Jagran captured it: “Fans were seen giving him a standing ovation.” Rahim finished the day on 106 not out from 213 balls — a knock that carried more weight than numbers could show. He’d waited 17 years to reach 100 Tests. Now, he’d etched his name beside legends.The Elite Club He Joined
Only ten batters before him had scored a hundred in their 100th Test. The first? England’s Colin Cowdrey, who did it against Australia in 1968. Then came names like Sunil Gavaskar, Jacques Kallis, and Kumar Sangakkara — all giants of the game. Rahim, once dismissed as a defensive player, now stands among them. BSS News put it simply: “Mushfiqur Rahim stood on the brink of joining an elite list.” He didn’t just stand — he walked right in. His career stats? Staggering. Across 181 Test innings, he’s amassed 6,328 runs at an average of 38.12. Twelve centuries. Twenty-seven half-centuries. And that 219 not out against Sri Lanka in 2018? Still the highest individual score by any Bangladeshi in Test cricket. This wasn’t luck. It was legacy.
The Irish Challenge
Ireland didn’t roll over. Andy McBrine was the architect of their resistance, bowling 27 overs for 4 for 83 — dismissing opener Shadman Islam (35), Mahmudul Hasan Joy (34), captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (8), and Mominul Haque (63). His patience, his line, his subtle turn on a pitch that offered little — it kept Bangladesh grounded. For 90 overs, Ireland held firm. But Rahim? He was a force of nature.Why This Matters Beyond the Scoreboard
This wasn’t just about a century. It was about perseverance. About a nation’s cricketing soul. Bangladesh, a Test-playing side since 2000, has long fought for respect. Rahim has been its quiet backbone — the man who held the middle order together through losses and rebuilds. His 100th Test wasn’t just a personal milestone; it was a statement. And Bangladesh? They’d already won the first Test in Sylhet by an innings and 47 runs, posting 587 for 8 declared. Now, with Rahim’s century and Das’s gritty 58, they held a commanding 292 for 4 lead on Day 1. The series was poised for a sweep — a first-ever for Bangladesh against Ireland in Test cricket.
What’s Next?
Day 3 saw Ireland fight back with disciplined bowling, but the momentum had shifted. With Rahim still at the crease, Bangladesh’s lead ballooned. The series, part of the ICC World Test Championship cycle, ended with Bangladesh winning 2-0 — a historic result. Rahim’s century didn’t just win a match. It redefined what’s possible for cricket’s newer nations.Legacy in the Making
Rahim didn’t celebrate with fireworks. He didn’t raise his bat for ten minutes. He simply nodded to the crowd, shook hands with his teammates, and walked off — the same quiet man who’d walked on 100 times before. But this time, he carried something heavier: the hope of a generation.Frequently Asked Questions
How rare is it to score a century in your 100th Test match?
Only 11 batters in over 145 years of Test cricket have scored a century in their 100th match. The feat began with England’s Colin Cowdrey in 1968, and includes legends like Gavaskar, Kallis, and Sangakkara. It’s rarer than scoring 10,000 Test runs — and requires both longevity and peak performance under pressure.
Why was Mushfiqur Rahim denied an extra over on Day 1?
Umpires follow strict light meters and match regulations. Despite visible daylight and player appeals, officials determined the light hadn’t met the required threshold for continuation. The decision, while controversial, was consistent with ICC protocols — even if it broke hearts. Rahim’s century came the next day, making the wait even more dramatic.
What impact does this have on Bangladesh cricket?
Rahim’s milestone signals Bangladesh’s arrival as a Test cricket force. His 100 Tests and 12 centuries prove consistency at the highest level. It inspires young players, validates the country’s investment in cricket infrastructure, and elevates the sport’s profile in a nation where cricket is now bigger than football.
How does Rahim compare to other greats in terms of Test statistics?
With 6,328 runs and 12 centuries, Rahim ranks among the top 25 Test batters from non-traditional cricketing nations. His average of 38.12 is higher than many legendary middle-order players from early Test eras. His 219 not out remains the highest by any Bangladeshi — a record that may stand for decades.
Who were the other players to score a century in their 100th Test?
Besides Colin Cowdrey, the list includes Sunil Gavaskar (India), Jacques Kallis (South Africa), Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka), Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka), Ricky Ponting (Australia), and Alastair Cook (England). Most were captains or talismanic figures. Rahim joins them not as captain, but as the quiet, relentless engine of Bangladesh’s Test team.
Did Rahim’s century help Bangladesh win the series?
Absolutely. His 106 not out gave Bangladesh a 292/4 lead on Day 1 of the second Test. They went on to win by an innings, completing a 2-0 series sweep — their first-ever Test series win over Ireland. The century wasn’t just symbolic; it was the foundation of victory.