On November 20, 2025, Mushfiqur Ismail Rahim walked to the crease at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, not just to bat — but to etch his name into cricketing immortality. The 38-year-old, already Bangladesh’s most capped Test player, reached his 100th Test match the day before, and then delivered the kind of performance that turns milestones into legends: a patient, defiant 106 off 214 balls, his 13th Test century, and the first ever by a wicketkeeper-batsman in his 100th Test. He wasn’t just scoring runs. He was rewriting history.
Joining an elite fraternity
Only 10 players in 148 years of Test cricket had scored a century in their 100th match before Rahim. Names like Ricky Ponting, Joe Root, and David Warner sit in that rare club. Ponting, the only one to hit twin centuries in that same match, did it in 2006. Rahim didn’t need twins. He needed presence. He needed proof that longevity, not just talent, can carve a legacy. He’d been unbeaten on 99 overnight — a cruel tease for any batter — and came out on Day 2 with quiet determination. Five boundaries, no slog, no showmanship. Just grit. When the final run crossed the rope, the stadium erupted. Not just for the century, but for the journey: 20 years, 100 Tests, 6,450 runs, and the weight of a nation’s expectations.The keeper who broke the mold
What makes Rahim’s achievement even more extraordinary is his role. He’s not just a batsman who keeps wickets. He’s the first wicketkeeper-batsman in Test history to score three double-hundreds. His 219* against Zimbabwe in Harare in 2018 stood as Bangladesh’s highest Test score for years. He surpassed it himself in 2020 with 203* — again against Zimbabwe. That’s not luck. That’s consistency under pressure. While others were picked for their gloves, Rahim was picked because his bat could anchor innings. His 163 against Galle International Stadium in June 2025? That was his fourth century against Sri Lanka — a team Bangladesh once struggled to beat. Now, he’s the reason they dominate them.His stats are staggering: 12 centuries in 100 Tests. 28 half-centuries. 274 ODIs. Nearly 8,000 ODI runs. And on May 25, 2021, he became the first Bangladeshi to win 150 international matches — a milestone no other player from his country has reached. The Bangladesh Cricket Board called his 100th Test century “a testament to perseverance.” That’s an understatement. It’s a masterclass in resilience.
A series sealed, a legacy cemented
The match against Ireland wasn’t just about personal glory. Bangladesh had already won the first Test in Sylhet by an innings and 47 runs — a statement win. By the time Rahim reached his century, Bangladesh had crossed 450, thanks to a 234-run partnership with Litton Das, who scored 128. The series was already won. But Rahim didn’t play for the series. He played for the record. For the kids watching in Dhaka’s alleyways. For the generation that grew up seeing Bangladesh as underdogs. He proved they could produce players who stand shoulder to shoulder with the best.Off the field, the significance was just as clear. The match was officiated by England’s Richard Illingworth and India’s Nitin Menon, with Sri Lanka’s Ranjan Madugalle as match referee — a nod to the global respect he commands. His debut at Lord’s in 2005, at 17, was a quiet beginning. His farewell — if this is it — is thunderous.
Why this matters beyond Bangladesh
In an era where T20s dominate headlines and attention spans shrink by the day, Rahim’s career is a quiet rebellion. He didn’t chase flashy formats. He stayed with Test cricket — the hardest, slowest, most unforgiving version of the game. He played through three coaching changes, three captaincy transitions, and a dozen rebuilding phases. He kept wickets while carrying the batting order. He took the pressure of being the face of Bangladesh cricket for two decades. And he never cracked.His 100th Test century isn’t just a personal triumph. It’s a reminder that greatness doesn’t always roar. Sometimes, it waits. It watches. It endures. And when the moment arrives, it delivers — not with fireworks, but with faithfulness.
What’s next?
Rahim hasn’t announced retirement. But at 38, with 100 Tests under his belt and a career full of milestones, the question lingers. Will he play the next Test against New Zealand in March 2026? Will he chase 110 Tests? Or will he step aside, letting the next generation carry the torch? Whatever he decides, his place is secure. He’s not just Bangladesh’s greatest wicketkeeper-batsman. He’s one of the most complete players of his generation.Frequently Asked Questions
How rare is a century in a player’s 100th Test match?
Only 11 players in 148 years of Test cricket have scored a century in their 100th match. Before Mushfiqur Rahim, the last was David Warner in 2022. Ricky Ponting is the only one to score twin centuries in his 100th Test. This milestone is rarer than a 300-run innings — and far more difficult to achieve without being a specialist batsman.
Why is Rahim the first wicketkeeper-batsman to achieve this?
Wicketkeepers traditionally carry a heavier physical load — crouching for hours, handling fast bowlers, managing spinners — leaving less energy for batting. Few keepers have batted in the top six consistently over 100 Tests. Rahim is the only one to score three double-centuries as a keeper, proving he could handle both roles at the highest level for two decades.
What records does Mushfiqur Rahim hold in Test cricket?
Rahim is the first wicketkeeper-batsman to score three double-centuries in Tests, with his highest score being 219*. He’s also Bangladesh’s most-capped Test player (100 matches), the first Bangladeshi to reach 150 international match wins, and the only Bangladeshi to score centuries against all nine Test-playing nations. His 163 against Sri Lanka in 2025 was his fourth century against them.
How does Rahim compare to other legendary keeper-batsmen?
While Adam Gilchrist and MS Dhoni were explosive finishers, Rahim was a builder — a top-order anchor who batted for hours. His 6,450 Test runs surpass Gilchrist’s 5,570 and Dhoni’s 4,882. He’s also the only keeper to score centuries against Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, England, Australia, and South Africa — a feat few specialist batsmen can match.
Did Rahim’s 100th Test century come in a high-stakes match?
Technically, no — Bangladesh had already won the series after the first Test. But that’s what made it more remarkable. He wasn’t chasing victory. He was chasing history. No pressure to win, no need to rush. Just pure, unadulterated cricketing expression — and he delivered the kind of innings that defines eras.
What’s Rahim’s legacy in Bangladeshi cricket?
Rahim didn’t just play for Bangladesh — he defined it. He was the constant through every transition, the calm in every storm. He’s the player who made generations believe Bangladesh could compete with the best. His 100th Test century wasn’t just a number. It was the culmination of a quiet revolution — one that turned a team of underdogs into a force that now demands respect.
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Aarav Sengupta
Hello, I am Aarav Sengupta, a consulting and marketing expert with a passion for Indian culture and current affairs. I love to delve into the intricacies of Indian life and share my insights through writing. With a keen eye on the Indian news landscape, I strive to bring valuable perspectives on various topics. My goal is to provide readers with a fresh, engaging, and informative outlook on Indian society and the world of marketing.
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