Mirpur witnessed a classy celebration on Wednesday morning as Mushfiqur Rahim was honoured ahead of the 2nd Test between Bangladesh and Ireland, a match that also marked his 100th appearance in Test cricket. The Bangladesh team gathered on the outfield before the toss to commemorate one of the country’s greatest servants as he became the first Bangladesh Test player to reach the landmark of 100 Tests.
Habibul Bashar, the captain who handed Mushfiqur his Test cap in 2005, presented him with a special commemorative cap to mark the milestone. Soon after, Akram Khan, Bangladesh’s first Test cricketer, stepped forward to present a casket containing the symbolic baggy cap, further elevating the significance of the occasion. Mushfiqur was also handed a plaque in recognition of his contribution to Bangladesh cricket over nearly two decades.
The celebrations continued with a personal touch as Mushfiqur received two jerseys. One carried the autographs of all his team-mates from the 2005 Test side with whom he began his journey, while the other bore the signatures of the current Bangladesh Test team. The jerseys were presented jointly by Bashar and current Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.
Shanto delivered a warm tribute on behalf of the team. He said, “Congratulations. Brilliant achievement for you and the family. Always enjoyed playing with you. I wanted to follow you and took inspiration from you. Hope you continue to play for long. Everyone talks about your madness on the field and hardwork, but importantly, you play for the team and not for individual milestones. That is inspiring for all of us and every youngster who wants to play Test cricket.”
Mushfiqur, visibly touched, thanked his family, wife, team-mates, friends and fans for their support throughout his career. “Want to wish Bangladesh cricket the best for the future. I will do my best for them. Thanks to the Ireland team for being here,” he said.
As the ceremony concluded, the stands applauded one of Bangladesh’s most dedicated performers, marking a proud moment for the country on a historic morning at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
