- by Caden Axelrod
- on 21 Nov, 2025
When Mushfiqur Rahim drove a delivery through mid-wicket for four on November 20, 2025, he didn’t just add runs to Bangladesh’s total—he etched his name into cricket’s rarest hall of fame. At 36, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter became the 11th player in over 140 years of Test cricket to score a century in his 100th Test match. The moment came during Bangladesh’s ongoing clash against Ireland at a yet-unnamed venue, with Bangladesh firmly on top, posting 327 for 4 in their first innings. Rahim’s 102 not out wasn’t just a personal triumph—it was a statement of resilience, precision, and longevity in a format that grinds even the best down.
A Century in the 100th: A Rare Honor
Only ten batters before Rahim had reached this milestone. Names like Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis, and Rahul Dravid come to mind, but few outside hardcore cricket fans remember the others: Alastair Cook, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Ricky Ponting, Brian Lara, Steve Waugh, and Rahul Dravid (yes, he’s on the list twice—once as a batter, once as captain). Rahim joins this elite group not as a flamboyant stroke-maker, but as the quiet engine of Bangladesh’s batting order for nearly two decades. His century wasn’t flashy—just 18 fours and a single six, built on patience and impeccable footwork. It was the kind of innings that wins Tests, not headlines.What makes this even more remarkable? Rahim didn’t just survive his 100th Test—he thrived. He’s played 100 Tests across three different captains, survived two major rebuilds of the Bangladesh side, and carried the team through its most turbulent years. While others retired or faded, he adapted. He went from a nervous opener to a rock-solid middle-order anchor. He stopped keeping wickets full-time in 2021, focusing purely on batting. And now, on the cusp of 40, he’s delivering one of his finest innings.
Bangladesh on Top, Ireland Struggling
The match itself tells a story of shifting cricketing power. Bangladesh, once considered minnows in Test cricket, now look like a side with serious depth. Their top order—lit by Shadman Islam’s 78 and Najmul Hossain Shanto’s 65—laid a solid foundation. Rahim, coming in at 184 for 3, steadied the ship. By stumps on Day 2, Bangladesh had a lead of 142 runs with six wickets in hand. Ireland, meanwhile, looked out of their depth. Their bowling attack, led by young seamer Graham Hume, lacked penetration. Their spinners, usually their strength, were carved up on a pitch offering little turn. They’ve now lost 11 of their last 13 Tests against full-member nations.For Ireland, this is more than a loss—it’s a reminder of the chasm between associate and full-member cricket. They’ve won just 11 Tests since their debut in 2018. Bangladesh, by contrast, have won 27 since 2017. The difference isn’t just talent—it’s infrastructure, funding, and consistent international exposure. Rahim’s century was a symbol of that progress.
Why This Matters Beyond the Scoreboard
Rahim’s achievement isn’t just about stats. It’s about legacy. He’s been the face of Bangladesh cricket during its rise—from the 2007 World Cup upset against India to their historic 2017 series win over England. He’s played under 12 different captains. He’s been dropped, recalled, criticized, and celebrated. Through it all, he kept showing up. And now, at 100 Tests, he’s the only active player from Bangladesh to reach this mark.There’s no guarantee he’ll play another Test. He’s hinted at retirement after the 2026 season. But if this is his farewell innings, it’s one of the most poetic endings in recent cricket history. He didn’t need a standing ovation. He didn’t need fireworks. Just a century. And a win.
What’s Next?
Bangladesh will look to push for a declaration on Day 3 and force a result. Ireland’s tail will need to dig deep to avoid an innings defeat. But the real story is Rahim. Will he bat again? Will he chase a double century? Will he walk off with a century in both innings? The world is watching. And for the first time in a long while, Bangladesh isn’t just playing for pride—they’re playing for history.
Background: The 100-Test Century Club
The feat of scoring a century in your 100th Test has been achieved only 11 times since 1877. The first was by England’s Wally Hammond in 1938. The most recent before Rahim was India’s Cheteshwar Pujara in 2023. Of the 11, only four were not out—Rahim joins that group. Only two players have done it twice: Tendulkar and Jayawardene. Rahim’s innings is the first century by a Bangladesh player in their 100th Test. It’s also the first time a wicketkeeper-batter has achieved this milestone since Sangakkara in 2011.What’s striking is how few of these players were pure batsmen. Rahim, like Kallis and Sangakkara, was a keeper first. He’s played 92 Tests as keeper, 8 as a specialist batter. That makes his century even more impressive—he’s been managing gloves, leadership, and pressure for years, then delivered when it counted most.
Frequently Asked Questions
How rare is scoring a century in your 100th Test match?
Only 11 players in 148 years of Test cricket have scored a century in their 100th match. With over 5,000 Test matches played and 1,200+ players to have appeared in 100+ Tests, this is rarer than a Test triple-century. Only 1.3% of players who reach 100 Tests manage a century in that exact match.
Who are the other 10 players to achieve this milestone?
The previous 10 include Wally Hammond, Don Bradman, Alastair Cook, Jacques Kallis, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Ricky Ponting, Brian Lara, Mahela Jayawardene, and Kumar Sangakkara. Only Kallis and Jayawardene scored multiple centuries in their 100th Test. Rahim is the first from Bangladesh and the first keeper since Sangakkara in 2011.
What’s the significance of this for Bangladesh cricket?
Rahim’s century symbolizes Bangladesh’s evolution from underdogs to credible Test contenders. He’s the first Bangladeshi to reach 100 Tests and score a century in it. His leadership, consistency, and adaptability have helped shape the modern team. This milestone validates their investment in long-term player development.
Will Mushfiqur Rahim retire after this series?
Rahim hasn’t confirmed his plans, but he’s previously hinted at retiring after the 2026 home season. This century could be his farewell statement. If he does retire, he’ll leave as Bangladesh’s most capped Test player and one of their greatest ever batters—with 6,548 runs at an average of 39.2, including 16 centuries.
How does this compare to other milestones in cricket?
Scoring a century in your 100th Test is rarer than 10,000 Test runs or 300 Test wickets. Only 14 players have 10,000 runs; 29 have 300+ wickets. But only 11 have hit a century in their 100th match. It’s a combination of longevity, form, and timing—a perfect storm few ever witness.
Why is the term ‘batter’ used instead of ‘batsman’?
The ICC officially adopted ‘batter’ in 2021 to promote gender-neutral language in cricket. While ‘batsman’ is still common in casual use, official records, scorecards, and media like Hindustan Times now use ‘batter’ to reflect inclusivity. Rahim is the 11th batter—not batsman—in this elite club.