Mushfiqur Rahim is set to become the first Bangladeshi to play 100 Test matches, joining a small and prestigious global group of 84 cricketers to have reached the milestone.
He will mark the occasion by taking the field in Mirpur wearing the well-worn Baggy Green cap he received on debut in 2005.
To commemorate the achievement, the BCB has arranged a special pre-match ceremony. Mushfiqur’s family and friends have been invited as guests of honour, and he will receive a crest from the board, tributes from various cricketing bodies, and a blazer from the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB).
An audio-visual presentation celebrating the veteran’s career will be shown, and all former Bangladesh captains—along with numerous dignitaries—have been invited to attend.
Match tickets will highlight the historic occasion, and the BCB has announced free entry for school and madrasa students, who will be admitted upon wearing their official uniform and presenting valid ID.
Mushfiqur’s journey—marked by highs, lows, relentless work, and at times accusations of overwork—has spanned nearly two decades. Many of those who played alongside him in his debut Test at Lord’s in 2005 are now coaches or administrators; one has since become an exiled political figure.
Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons praised Mushfiqur’s milestone as a testament to his professionalism and unwavering commitment.
“First of all, we have to acknowledge his [Mushfiqur’s] professionalism and his longevity and just his desire to play cricket for Bangladesh. Because to get 100 Test matches, Bangladesh doesn't play 15 a year, so it's taken him a period of time and we must appreciate that,” said former Windies cricketer Simmons to the media at SBNS on Tuesday.
“I think, from working with him for the short time, the professionalism is extremely high, and I will be so happy for him tomorrow [Wednesday] when that occasion comes,” he added.
In his first 50 Tests, Mushfiqur averaged under 32, but over the next 49 that figure climbed to nearly 45. Since 2017, only four players worldwide have scored more runs at a higher average.
The 38-year-old from Bogra boasts three double-centuries, including two as a wicketkeeper — a world record. Over the years, he has been part of numerous landmark partnerships and has played a key role in Bangladesh’s maiden Test victories against England, Australia, and Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh's head coach noted that Mushfiqur’s enduring success comes down to one thing: an unrelenting desire to improve every single day to survive at the highest level.
“I think his secret is professionalism. It's how you carry yourself, how you work to improve your game, and how you work to be successful at an international level. Because when you look back, he has been successful at the international level and that keeps him there. But there is also a desire in him and all the others who play 100 and 150 Test matches to continue to do well. So, I think that's the big thing we have to look at: the desire to continue to improve, to continue to get better, and perform at that level,” explained Simmons.
Breaking through as a standout young talent during Bangladesh’s memorable 2007 World Cup run, Mushfiqur also guided the team through one of its strongest eras as captain.
Throughout a career spanning multiple phases of Bangladesh cricket, he has endured criticism, overcome challenges, and remained an indispensable figure in the national side.
Mushfiqur has set a blueprint for future generations, showing exactly what it takes for a Bangladeshi cricketer to reach 100 Tests. He has inspired a generation of players — a bundle of whom now shares the dressing room with him.
