On a sun-drenched afternoon at Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Mushfiqur Rahim stood one run away from cricketing immortality — 99 not out on his 100th Test, the second Bangladeshi ever to reach that milestone. Bangladesh closed Day 1 of the second Test against Ireland at 292/4 after 90 overs, having seized control after early wobbles, thanks to a masterclass in patience and precision from their veteran wicketkeeper-batsman. The match, part of the Dutch-Bangla Bank Bangladesh Ireland Test Series 2025Shere Bangla National Stadium, began at 9:30 AM local time on November 19, 2025, and ended with the entire stadium on its feet — not for a six, but for the quiet, determined presence of a man who’s carried this team for nearly two decades.
A Century in the Making
Mushfiqur Rahim didn’t celebrate wildly when he reached 99. No fist pumps. No shouts. Just a nod to the scorer, a slight adjustment of his gloves, and a glance toward the pavilion where his family sat. He’d been here before — 28 half-centuries in Test cricket, 21 centuries across formats — but this was different. This was his 100th Test. Only Mominul Haque, his batting partner in the crucial 92-run stand, had done it before for Bangladesh. And now, with the sun dipping behind the stands, Rahim was tantalizingly close to becoming the first Bangladeshi to reach a century on his 100th Test.His innings was a study in controlled aggression: 187 balls, five boundaries, no lofted shots, no reckless hooks. He let the Irish bowlers come to him. When Andy McBrine drifted one onto his pads, Rahim swept it fine. When a shorter ball came, he guided it past point. He didn’t need fireworks. He needed time. And on Day 1, time was exactly what Bangladesh had.
Early Wickets, Then Stability
Bangladesh’s day nearly unraveled in the first hour. Mahmudul Hasan Joy survived 86 balls for 34, only to nick a delivery from McBrine to third slip. Then came Shadman Islam — lively, aggressive, scoring 35 off 44 — until he skyed a drive down the track, the ball hanging in the air just long enough for a substitute fielder to take it. Two wickets for 55. Ireland sensed an opening.Then came the afternoon session. And everything changed.
Mominul Haque, Bangladesh’s third-highest Test run-scorer, walked in and immediately anchored the innings. He played with the quiet authority of a man who’s weathered storms before. His 63 off 128 balls included just one boundary — a reminder that sometimes, the most dangerous batsman is the one who refuses to give you a chance. Together with Rahim, he added 92 runs in 31 overs without losing a wicket. No fireworks. No drama. Just two veteran batsmen doing what they’ve done for years: outlasting the opposition.
Ireland’s Struggle to Break Through
For all their grit, Ireland’s attack looked toothless. Andy McBrine was the only bowler who threatened — 4 for 82 in 26 overs, two maidens, the kind of figures that win Tests. He twisted the ball, probed the corridor, and exploited the occasional hint of movement. But even he had no answer to Rahim’s footwork.The debutant Matthew Humphreys bowled 19 overs without a wicket. Gavin Hoey was accurate but predictable. And when Cade Carmichael missed a shy at the non-striker’s end in the 88th over — a moment that could have ended Rahim’s innings — it summed up Ireland’s day: close, but never quite enough.
“They didn’t bowl badly,” said Ireland captain after play. “We just didn’t get the breakthroughs. When you’re up against two guys like Rahim and Mominul, you need perfection. And we didn’t have it.”
The Supporting Cast and the Road Ahead
While Rahim and Mominul dominated the headlines, Litton Das played a vital cameo — 47 not out off 86 balls, with two boundaries, keeping the scoreboard ticking. He didn’t dominate, but he didn’t give McBrine any easy targets. His presence at the crease ensured that even if Rahim fell early on Day 2, Bangladesh wouldn’t collapse.The pitch, flat and true, showed no signs of deterioration. With two days left, Bangladesh will look to push past 400. Ireland? They’ll need their spinners to turn the game — and their batsmen to show up.
What This Means for Bangladesh Cricket
This wasn’t just a good day’s batting. It was a statement. Bangladesh, often criticized for inconsistency in Tests, showed the maturity of a side that’s learned to win in the trenches. Rahim’s 100th Test is more than a personal milestone — it’s symbolic of a generation that turned Bangladesh from minnows into a team capable of challenging anyone on home soil.And if he gets that century tomorrow? It won’t just be a personal triumph. It’ll be a defining moment in Bangladesh cricket history.
Frequently Asked Questions
How rare is it for a player to reach 100 Test matches for Bangladesh?
Only two players in Bangladesh’s history have reached 100 Test caps: Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim. With Bangladesh playing just 120 Tests since their debut in 2000, reaching this milestone means playing in over 80% of the nation’s Test matches — a testament to longevity, consistency, and resilience in a team that’s often struggled for stability.
Why is Mushfiqur Rahim’s 99 not out so significant on his 100th Test?
No Bangladeshi has ever scored a century on their 100th Test. Rahim is the first to come within one run. Even globally, it’s rare: only 12 players in Test history have reached 100 caps and remained unbeaten on 99 or more on that day. If he converts it, he’ll join an elite club — and become the first from a Full Member nation outside the traditional cricketing powers to do so.
How did Andy McBrine manage to take 4 wickets despite Bangladesh’s dominance?
McBrine’s success came from relentless accuracy and subtle variations in flight. He exploited the early moisture in the pitch, bowled a high proportion of dot balls, and targeted the off-stump line. His two maidens in the first session broke the rhythm of Bangladesh’s aggressive openers. While Rahim and Mominul were unflappable, the lower order offered more chances — and McBrine capitalized.
What’s the historical context of Bangladesh vs Ireland in Test cricket?
This is only the second time Bangladesh and Ireland have played a Test series. Their first encounter in 2023 ended in a draw, with Ireland famously holding on for a gritty draw in Belfast. This series marks Ireland’s first-ever Test tour to Bangladesh. Historically, Bangladesh has won both of their previous Tests against associate nations — but never by such a commanding margin on Day 1.
What are the chances of Bangladesh winning this series?
With 292/4 on a flat pitch and Ireland’s bowling attack exposed, Bangladesh is heavily favored. If they post 400-plus on Day 2 and Rahim gets his century, Ireland will need a miracle to survive. Even if they don’t win outright, a draw would be a major achievement for Ireland — and a statement win for Bangladesh in their quest to climb the ICC Test rankings.
Who is likely to be Bangladesh’s key player on Day 2?
Mushfiqur Rahim, without question. If he reaches 100, he’ll be the undisputed hero. But if he falls early, Litton Das — calm, composed, and in form — becomes the linchpin. The next 20 overs will determine whether Bangladesh builds a massive total or gives Ireland a lifeline. One man’s century could define the entire series.
