Mushfiqur hits hundred to celebrate his 100th Test

Bangladesh stalwart Mushfiqur Rahim celebrated his momentous 100th Test by smashing a century on the second day of the second Test against Ireland at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today.

The right-hander, unbeaten and just one run short of three figures at the end of the opening day's play, completed the milestone in the second over to become only the 11th batter in history to score a hundred in their 100th Test. It was the 13th Test century for the 38-year-old.

Mushfiqur held his nerve against spinner Matthew Humphreys in the first over of the day, playing out a maiden, and reached the milestone on the third ball of the second over from pacer Jordan Neill.

It was a length ball on middle and leg; he shuffled across and glanced it around the corner for a single, sprinting to the other end. A massive roar erupted as he removed his helmet, raised both hands in celebration, and dropped to the ground to perform sijdah. With this hundred, he also drew level with Mominul Haque for the most Test centuries by a Bangladeshi batter.

Accolades poured in as Mushfiqur became the first Bangladeshi to reach the 100-Test mark against Ireland on Wednesday. But for the celebrations to feel truly complete, the history-maker needed to produce something special.

And that is exactly what the veteran delivered.

Mushfiqur's 106-run innings ended when he edged a good-length, turning delivery from Humphreys, poking at it tentatively and beaten by extra bounce. Andy Balbirnie took a one-handed catch diving to his right. The Irish skipper immediately congratulated Mushfiqur, with Paul Stirling and teammates joining in, as Bangladesh reached 310-5. Mushfiqur's 214-ball knock included five fours.