On Thursday, November 20, 2025, at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, Mushfiqur Rahim did something only 10 other batters in the 147-year history of Test cricket had ever managed: he scored a century in his 100th match. The moment came on the ninth ball of the morning session, when the 38-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman took a single off Ireland’s Jordan Neill, bringing up his 13th Test hundred — and his first since 2022. It wasn’t just a personal triumph. It was a statement. And it came as Bangladesh, led by a brilliant 103 not out from Liton Kumar Das, raced to 387 for five at lunch, leaving Ireland’s bowlers exhausted and their captain searching for answers on a stubbornly unresponsive pitch.
A Century for the Ages
Mushfiqur Rahim didn’t celebrate wildly. He didn’t raise his bat to the stands. He just nodded, wiped his brow, and walked back to his crease — the same quiet intensity that’s defined his 18-year international career. Overnight, he’d been stranded on 99. The pressure was immense. His teammates knew what this meant. His family, watching from the stands, held their breath. And when the boundary came — a single, not a six — it was the kind of moment that transcends statistics. He became the 11th batter to reach a Test century in his 100th match, joining legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis, and Alastair Cook. Prothom Alo called it "a celebration for the ages," and rightly so. This wasn’t just about runs. It was about legacy.Liton Das: The Quiet Architect
While Rahim’s milestone dominated headlines, Liton Das was quietly building his own masterpiece. The 30-year-old opener, who hadn’t passed 50 in his previous six innings, played with surgical precision. Facing a bowling attack that had looked dangerous on Day 1, Das punished the loose balls and left the rest. His century came off 158 balls — a blend of elegant footwork and disciplined defense. He patted a delivery from Gavin Hoye through fine leg for four, the boundary that sealed his fifth Test hundred. It was his first since December 2024 against Pakistan, and it came at a critical juncture: with Rahim at the crease, the pair had added 108 for the fifth wicket, turning a solid 292 for four into a commanding position.The Unbreakable Bond
When Rahim fell to Matthew Humphrey — the Irish left-arm spinner who ended the morning with the only wicket of the session — the crowd gasped. But the response was immediate. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the all-rounder known more for his spin than his batting, walked out and immediately anchored the innings. With no fanfare, he and Das added 77 runs for the sixth wicket. Miraz, unbeaten on 30, played the perfect foil — defending when needed, rotating strike with calm authority. The partnership wasn’t flashy, but it was essential. It ensured Bangladesh didn’t just survive the loss of their star; they thrived.
The Pitch That Broke Ireland
The real story, though, lies in the surface. The Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, under the administration of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, offered no help to the bowlers. The pitch, described by Prothom Alo as "unresponsive," swallowed up pace and spin alike. Ireland’s fast bowlers, including Neill and Hoye, toiled for hours without reward. Even Humphrey, who took Rahim’s wicket, needed 32 overs to get him out. The ball barely bounced, and the batsmen could afford to play late. It’s no coincidence that Bangladesh’s top three scorers all faced over 150 balls. Ireland’s bowlers looked drained, frustrated, and increasingly out of ideas.What Comes Next?
Bangladesh will resume after lunch with a lead of over 300 runs and a batting lineup still intact. If Das and Miraz can add another 150 before the close, Ireland will be staring at an innings defeat. The Irish team, managed by Cricket Ireland, entered this series as underdogs — and now, with only one wicket taken in the morning session, they’re on the brink of collapse. Their captain, Andy Balbirnie, will need a miracle to avoid a whitewash in the two-match series. Meanwhile, Bangladesh, with their momentum, their pitch, and their captaincy, are in complete control.
A Legacy Cemented
Mushfiqur Rahim didn’t just score a hundred. He reminded the world that cricket isn’t just about youth and power. It’s about grit, patience, and the quiet refusal to quit. He’s played 100 Tests across three decades — through losses, criticism, and reinvention. He’s survived the rise of T20, the pressure of national expectations, and the inevitable fade of age. And now, with his 13th Test century, he’s etched his name among the immortals. For Bangladesh, this isn’t just a match lead. It’s a moment. One they’ll remember for years.Frequently Asked Questions
How rare is it to score a century in your 100th Test match?
Only 11 batters in Test cricket history have scored a century in their 100th match. The feat is rarer than 300-run innings or 10-wicket hauls. Mushfiqur Rahim joined an elite group that includes Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis, and Rahul Dravid. Only two players have done it since 2010 — Rahul Dravid in 2011 and Alastair Cook in 2018. Rahim’s achievement is especially notable given he reached it at age 38, making him the oldest to do so since 1991.
Why was the pitch so difficult for Ireland’s bowlers?
The Sher-e-Bangla pitch in Mirpur is known for being slow and low, especially after the first day. It doesn’t offer much seam or spin assistance, and the ball tends to stay flat. Ireland’s bowlers, accustomed to more helpful conditions in Europe, struggled to generate bounce or movement. Prothom Alo noted the surface was "unresponsive," meaning even the best deliveries didn’t react. This favored Bangladesh’s patient batting, turning the match into a battle of endurance.
What’s the significance of Liton Das’s century?
Liton Das’s 103 not out was his fifth Test century and his first in over a year — since his 107 against Pakistan in Rawalpindi in December 2024. After a lean patch with scores of 1, 2, 0, 8, and 12 in his last five innings, this knock silenced critics and reaffirmed his place at the top of the order. His partnership with Rahim (108 runs) was the highest for Bangladesh’s fifth wicket in a Test against Ireland, and his calmness under pressure was vital as the team looked to extend their lead.
How has Mushfiqur Rahim’s career evolved since his debut?
Rahim debuted in 2005 as a flashy middle-order batsman but transformed into one of cricket’s most reliable Test wicketkeepers. He’s played 100 Tests across 19 years, scoring over 6,800 runs at an average of 39.8, with 13 centuries. He survived being dropped in 2012, returned as captain in 2018, and became Bangladesh’s most capped Test player in 2023. His 2025 century wasn’t just a personal milestone — it was the culmination of a career defined by resilience, adaptability, and quiet leadership.
What’s at stake for Ireland in this series?
Ireland, ranked 11th in Test cricket, entered the series as clear underdogs. A loss here would mean a 2-0 whitewash — their third consecutive series defeat in Tests. With only 11 Test matches played in their history, every series matters for their development. A collapse on Day 2 would delay their push for full membership in the ICC’s Test program. Their bowlers, especially Humphrey and Hoye, need to find a way to break partnerships quickly — or risk another humiliating defeat.
Who sponsors the match, and why does it matter?
The match is sponsored by Dutch-Bangla Bank, one of Bangladesh’s largest financial institutions. Their sponsorship reflects the growing commercial value of Test cricket in Bangladesh, where crowds and TV viewership for Tests have surged since 2020. The bank’s social media campaign, titled "A celebration for the ages," capitalized on Rahim’s milestone, turning a sporting event into a national moment. This level of corporate backing signals that Bangladesh’s Test cricket is no longer just a passion — it’s a platform.