When Mushfiqur Rahim walked out to bat on Day 2 of his 100th Test match, the entire nation held its breath. He didn’t just survive—he soared. On the 100th Test match of his careerSher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, the 38-year-old wicket-keeper batsman smashed 106 not out, joining an elite club of just 11 players in cricket history to score a century in their 100th Test. The crowd erupted. The players hugged him. And for the first time ever, a Bangladeshi had reached the century of Test appearances—a milestone once thought impossible in a nation that didn’t even have Test status until 2000.
A Legacy Built on grit, not glamour
Mushfiqur Rahim didn’t arrive with fireworks. He arrived with stubbornness. Debuted in 2005 against India, he was a raw, nervous 17-year-old with a helmet too big and a technique still forming. But he had something rarer: resilience. While others floundered in the pressure of international cricket, Rahim adapted. He learned to keep wickets under blistering sun in Dhaka, then in the humid heat of Galle, and later in the icy winds of Lord’s. Over two decades, he became the glue holding Bangladesh’s fragile batting lineup together. His 163 against Sri Lanka at Galle International Stadium on June 17, 2025, wasn’t just his highest score against them on home soil—it was a statement. Rain saved the match, but Rahim’s innings—packed with 21 boundaries and a calmness that defied his age—left Sri Lankan bowlers drained. It was his fifth century against them, and the most defiant. He’d scored 175 not out in Dhaka the year before. But Galle? That was different. That was their fortress. And he broke it.The 100th Test: More Than a Number
Reaching 100 Tests isn’t just about longevity. It’s about survival. In Bangladesh’s early years, injuries, inconsistent selection, and mental fatigue claimed careers. Rahim played through back spasms, shoulder surgeries, and the emotional toll of watching teammates retire before him. He was the last man standing from the 2005 squad. When he reached 99 Tests, the BCB quietly prepared a ceremony. But Rahim, ever humble, insisted: “Let the cricket speak.” On November 19, 2025, with Bangladesh leading the series after a dominant win in Sylhet, Rahim came in at 87 for 4. The scoreboard read 99 not out at stumps. The next morning, he faced the first ball with a slight smile. A single to mid-wicket. Then a cover drive. Then a square cut. He didn’t celebrate until the ball crossed the rope for his fifth boundary. The stadium noise? Deafening. The ICC called it “a moment that transcended sport.”
A Record-Breaking Career in Numbers
- 100 Test matches (first Bangladeshi ever)
- 6,450 Test runs, 12 centuries, 28 half-centuries
- 7,795 ODI runs, 9 centuries (retired from ODIs on March 5, 2025)
- 400+ dismissals as wicketkeeper (most by any Bangladeshi)
- First Bangladeshi to win 150 international matches
- Only Bangladeshi with centuries in World Cups, Asia Cups, and Test series in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Australia
Why This Matters Beyond Bangladesh
For years, cricket’s elite dismissed Bangladesh as a minnow. But Rahim’s career—spanning 20 years, 350 international appearances, and 11,000 runs—rewrote that narrative. He didn’t just play the game; he elevated it for a nation with no cricketing tradition. His 191 against Pakistan in Rawalpindi in 2024, his 125 in Dhaka that sealed Bangladesh’s first-ever series win over Sri Lanka in 2021, his 102 not out against Australia in the 2019 World Cup—all of it stitched together a legacy that now inspires kids in Khulna, Sylhet, and Cox’s Bazar. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has since named him “National Cricket Icon.” But he still travels by bus to training. Still texts young keepers advice. Still wakes up at 5 a.m. to practice footwork.
What’s Next? The Unfinished Chapter
Rahim hasn’t announced retirement from Tests. With the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy looming in early 2026, and Bangladesh expected to qualify, his bat remains sharp. He’s mentoring 21-year-old wicketkeeper Nazmul Hossain Shanto, who’s already been named vice-captain. “He’s the future,” Rahim says. “I’m just the bridge.” His 100th Test wasn’t the end. It was a new beginning—for him, and for a nation that finally sees itself reflected in its heroes.Frequently Asked Questions
How many Test centuries has Mushfiqur Rahim scored, and how does he rank among Bangladesh batsmen?
Mushfiqur Rahim has scored 12 Test centuries, the most by any Bangladeshi player. He leads the nation in both centuries and total Test runs (6,450), surpassing Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal. His three double centuries—including 201 against England in 2016 and 206 against Sri Lanka in 2018—place him among the most prolific Test batsmen in the team’s history.
Why is scoring a century in your 100th Test so rare?
Only 11 players in cricket history have scored a century in their 100th Test, including legends like Graeme Smith and Joe Root. It’s rare because most players peak earlier, and by 100 Tests, fatigue, form dips, or retirement often intervene. Rahim’s ability to maintain elite performance into his late 30s—while carrying the dual burden of wicketkeeping—is unprecedented in modern cricket.
What made Rahim’s 163 in Galle so special?
No Bangladeshi had ever scored a century on Sri Lankan soil in Test cricket before Rahim’s 163 in June 2025. Galle is one of the most hostile pitches for visiting batsmen, with sharp turn and uneven bounce. His innings lasted 314 balls, included 21 fours, and came after Bangladesh had slumped to 87 for 3. He anchored a 290-run partnership with Najmul Hossain Shanto, turning a potential collapse into a match-saving total.
How does Rahim compare to other legendary wicketkeeper-batsmen?
Rahim is the only wicketkeeper in cricket history to reach 100 Tests and score over 6,000 Test runs. He surpasses Adam Gilchrist in Test appearances as a keeper-batsman from a non-traditional cricketing nation. While not as aggressive as Gilchrist or MS Dhoni, his consistency, technique under pressure, and leadership in tough conditions place him among the most complete keepers of his era.
What impact did Rahim have on Bangladesh’s cricket development?
Rahim’s longevity and success gave Bangladesh’s cricket board credibility to invest in infrastructure, coaching, and youth academies. His 2019 World Cup century inspired a generation of kids to take up wicketkeeping. Since 2020, Bangladesh’s U-19 team has produced more wicketkeepers than ever before, with three now in the national setup. He didn’t just play—he built the pathway.
Will Rahim play in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy?
Yes. Despite retiring from ODIs in March 2025, Rahim remains in Bangladesh’s Test squad for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, where he’ll serve as a senior advisor and backup wicketkeeper. His presence is seen as vital for team stability, and BCB officials confirm he’ll play if the team reaches the knockout stage, especially in high-pressure matches.
