A Test of individual accolades
There were very slim chances that the Chattogram Test, between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, would render a result. In fact, Sri Lanka all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva admitted that they 'knew it was going to be a draw from the first day.' However, even though the history of the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium and its barren surface might have served as a forewarning for what was waiting, the Test still was far from being a total dull affair. There were six fifties, three tons, including a 199, a six-wicket haul, and two four-fors. As the game is now beyond us, let's revisit the individual accolades made during the five-day contest.
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Mushy's redemption: The Test was a sort of redemption for Mushfiqur Rahim. The 35-year-old had received a lot of stick for his fairly longstanding lean patch in the format. Before the Chattogram Test, the last time Mushfiqur reached the three-figure mark was back in February, 2020 when he scored an unbeaten 203 against Zimbabwe in Mirpur. Since then, the right-handed batter scored in the nineties once, notched up three fifties, and had 40-plus scores on three more occasions but he was still far from being the 'Mr. Dependable' of Bangladesh. But Mushfiqur finally ended his lean patch through a hundred and by also becoming the first Bangladeshi to score 5000 runs in the format in the Chattogram Test.
Tamim's regret despite 133: Tamim Iqbal probably applauded the loudest when Mushfiqur Rahim became the first Bangladeshi to reach the 5000-run landmark in Tests, but the cricketer might have also felt a tinge of regret as he could have been the first to get to the landmark score. Both Mushfiqur and Tamim were on the verge of achieving the feat before the Chattogram Test. Tamim, despite being behind in the race before the start of the Test, had closed in on the landmark score with a magnificent ton, his 10th Test century, on the third day. However, Tamim, after suffering a cramp, had to retire hurt on 133 off 217 deliveries, just 19 runs shy of the 5000-run mark. With Tamim unable to continue batting after the tea break on Day 3, Mushfiqur was able to reach the feat early. Tamim could not add to his score but the left-hander's fluent knock did see him get back amongst the runs, scoring his first century in 16 innings and after more than a three-year gap.
Unlucky Mathews: Angelo Mathews was named the player of the match. Still, the Sri Lankan all-rounder will probably look back at the Chattogram Test with remorse. The 34-year-old cricketer now finds himself among the 14 unlucky ones in history to have been denied of a double ton for just a single run. He became only the 12th cricketer in history to have been dismissed on 199. He was also the first to be dismissed on that score in Bangladesh. However, Mathews, who was dismissed due to his own faulty shot off a Nayeem Hasan delivery, could consider himself luckier than his fellow Kumar Sangakkara (in 2012 at Galle against Pakistan) and Zimbabwe's Andy Flower (in 2001 against South Africa in Harare), both of whom were left stranded on 199 after their partners were dismissed at the other end.
Nayeem's statement: Getting a callback to the squad after more than a year, Nayeem Hasan made a solid statement in his hometown. The local boy returned his career-best figures of six for 105 in an innings in Test and was the most instrumental bowler for the Tigers in the first innings. The young spinner gave Tigers much-needed breakthroughs on two mornings of the Test and was also responsible for dismissing Angelo Mathews on 199.
A record for ZACS as well: Even the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium (ZACS) has reached new height through this Test as it hosted its 22nd Test, the joint-most hosted by a venue in Bangladesh. Mirpur has also hosted 22 Tests. The venue also did live up to it's reputation of being a batting paradise as before this Test, the average first innings total at this ground was 395 in the 11 Tests in the last 10 years.
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