On Thursday, November 21, 2025, Mushfiqur Rahim walked off the pitch at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka to a thunderous standing ovation—not just for scoring a century, but for doing something no Indian batter ever has: hitting a hundred in his 100th Test match. His 106 off 214 balls, laced with five boundaries, wasn’t just a milestone—it was a quiet revolution in a cricketing nation still carving its identity on the global stage. Rahim, the Mushfiqur Rahim who debuted at Lord’s in 2005, became the 11th player in Test history to reach this rare feat, and the first from Bangladesh. And here’s the twist: India, with over 90 years of Test cricket and dozens of legendary batters, has never had a single player manage it.
A Century in the Shadow of Giants
Before Rahim’s innings, only ten players had ever scored a century in their 100th Test. Colin Cowdrey did it in 1968. Javed Miandad in 1987. David Warner, in a blistering 200 against South Africa in 2022. Now, Rahim joins them—not with fireworks, but with the kind of grit that defines his career. He came in at 95/3 on day one, with Bangladesh teetering after early wickets. The pitch was slow, the Irish spinners were patient, and the pressure was mounting. But Rahim, now 37, didn’t chase boundaries. He absorbed pressure. He waited. He rotated strike. He punished the bad ball. That’s how he’s played for two decades. No flash. No hype. Just relentless consistency.
His dismissal—edging left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys to Andy Balbirnie at second slip—was met not with disappointment, but with tears and cheers. The crowd, packed under the Dhaka sun, knew they’d witnessed something sacred. Rahim raised his bat, bowed to the stands, and for a moment, the noise drowned out the scoreboard.
Why This Matters More Than the Score
The numbers tell part of the story. Rahim now has 13 Test centuries, tied with Mominul Haque for the most by a Bangladeshi. He’s the first from his country to play 100 Tests—a milestone that seemed distant when Bangladesh gained Test status in 2000. But the deeper truth? He’s become the face of Bangladesh’s cricketing soul. While India churns out stars like conveyor belts, Bangladesh has had to build its legends from scratch. Rahim didn’t have a billion-dollar league to fall back on. He didn’t have corporate sponsorships lining his locker. He had a dream, a worn-out bat, and a nation watching.
“He watched my debut at Lord’s,” said Shakib Al Hasan in a heartfelt Facebook post the day before the match. “I was 18. He was already carrying the team. Now, he’s carrying the legacy. He’s not just a player—he’s the reason so many of us believed we could play Test cricket.”
That emotional resonance is why this isn’t just a stat. It’s cultural. In a country where cricket is religion, Rahim’s 100th Test century became a national moment. Schools paused. Offices cleared. Families gathered around TVs in Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet. No Indian batter has ever done this. Not Sachin. Not Dravid. Not Kohli. Not even Tendulkar, who played 200 Tests. The irony? India has more Test matches under its belt than Bangladesh has ever played. And yet, the record belongs to the underdog.
The Bigger Picture: Bangladesh’s Rise
This wasn’t an isolated moment. Bangladesh had already won the first Test by an innings and 47 runs, bowling Ireland out for 96 in their second innings on November 14. The Bangladesh Cricket Board had spent years investing in domestic infrastructure, and now the results are showing. Rahim’s century wasn’t just personal—it was institutional. It signaled that Bangladesh isn’t just surviving in Test cricket anymore. It’s shaping it.
With Rahim’s innings, Bangladesh posted 328/7 on day one. By stumps, they led by over 200 runs. The Cricket Ireland side, competitive but outmatched, now faces a daunting task to avoid a 2-0 sweep. And for Bangladesh, this series could be the springboard to a new tier of respectability in the International Cricket Council.
What’s Next for Rahim?
He’s not done. At 37, he’s still keeping wickets, still leading from the front. He’s said he’ll play on—at least until the 2027 World Test Championship final. But even if he retires tomorrow, his legacy is sealed. He’s the first. He’s the benchmark. He’s proof that longevity, not just talent, can etch your name in history.
And for India? The silence speaks volumes. No Indian batter has ever scored a century in their 100th Test. Not one. Not in 93 years. It’s not a failure—it’s a mystery. Maybe it’s the pressure. Maybe it’s the schedule. Maybe it’s the expectation. But in Mirpur, on a Thursday afternoon, the answer was clear: greatness doesn’t always come with a fanfare. Sometimes, it comes with a quiet bat, a tired body, and a nation holding its breath.
Frequently Asked Questions
How rare is scoring a century in a 100th Test match?
Only 11 players in the 148-year history of Test cricket have scored a century in their 100th match. Out of 1,407 players who’ve appeared in Tests as of November 2025, that’s just 0.008%. The feat requires not just skill, but endurance, consistency, and timing—all of which Rahim demonstrated over two decades.
Why hasn’t any Indian player achieved this milestone?
India has produced more Test players than any nation except England, yet none have reached a century in their 100th match. Players like Tendulkar, Dravid, and Kohli played far more Tests, but their centuries came earlier in their careers. The pressure to perform early, combined with frequent rotations, may have prevented Indian batsmen from surviving long enough to reach this specific milestone.
What does this mean for Bangladesh cricket?
Rahim’s achievement signals Bangladesh’s arrival as a serious Test force. With their first 100-Test player and a growing pool of experienced cricketers, the nation is moving beyond being seen as a minnow. This century, coupled with their dominant win in the first Test, suggests they’re building a sustainable, resilient team culture.
How does Rahim’s century compare to other players on the list?
Unlike David Warner’s explosive 200 or Colin Cowdrey’s elegant 104, Rahim’s innings was a masterclass in patience. He faced 214 balls—more than any other centurion in this elite group. His strike rate of 49.5 was the lowest, proving that his strength isn’t power, but perseverance. In a modern game obsessed with pace, his approach was almost old-school—and that’s what made it special.
Is Rahim the oldest player to score a century in his 100th Test?
Yes, at 37, Rahim is the oldest to achieve this milestone. Previous oldest was Javed Miandad, who was 30 when he scored his 104 in 1987. Rahim’s longevity—playing at the highest level for 20 years—is as remarkable as the century itself. He’s survived injuries, changes in captaincy, and the rise of T20 cricket to remain relevant.
What’s next for Mushfiqur Rahim?
Rahim has indicated he plans to continue playing through the 2027 World Test Championship cycle. He’s still the first-choice wicketkeeper and a senior voice in the dressing room. While retirement looms, his legacy is already secure: he’s the first Bangladeshi to 100 Tests, the first to score a century in that match, and the quiet architect of Bangladesh’s rise in Test cricket.