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Mushfiqur Rahim was honoured by the Bangladesh Cricket Board after becoming the first Bangladeshi cricketer to play 100 Tests on the first day of the second Test against Ireland at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday. 

A special ceremony was held before the start of the play, as the family of Mushfiq, including his brother-in-law and former national team captain Mahmudullah, were among those present. 

The players from the Ireland team were also present at the ceremony. 

Mushfiq was presented with a special commemorative cap by Habibul Bashar, who presented him with the first Test cap when Mushfiq made his debut at Lord’s in 2005. 

Akram Khan, holder of Test cap number one for Bangladesh, presented Mushfiq with a ceremonial casket holding the milestone cap, before he was also honoured with a plaque from the Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam Bulbul and cricket operations chairman Nazmul Abedeen Fahim—who is also Mushfiq’s long-time mentor.

Mushfiq’s first Test captain, Habibul, and current captain, Shanto, then handed over two commemorative jerseys, one signed by his team-mates from his debut Test against England and the other autographed by the current Bangladesh Test squad.

‘Thanks to Almighty Allah for this great opportunity. I’d like to thank my family — my parents and especially my wife, who spent a lot of sleepless nights,’ said Mushfiq. 

‘Most importantly, my team-mates, coaches, friends back home and all my fans. I will always try to give my 100 per cent for Bangladesh cricket. Hopefully we will have a great match to celebrate, Inshallah,’ he added. 

Shanto also congratulated Mushfiq on the special occasion. 

‘Congratulations! It’s a brilliant achievement for you and your family. Everyone talks about your madness on the field and your hard work, but what inspires us most is that you always play for the team, not for individual milestones,’ said the Bangladesh Test captain. 

Apart from Bashar, Mohammad Rafique, Khaled Mashud, Nafis Iqbal, Anwar Hossain, Talha Jubair, Shahriar Nafees, and Mohammad Ashraful—who were part of Mushfiq’s debut Test—were also present at the ceremony hosted by commentator and former national cricketer Athar Ali Khan. 

After the day’s play, sports advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan also presented Mushfiq with a crest. 

‘At one point I thought it was going towards a retirement [ceremony],’ said Mominul Haque jokingly at the end of day’s play.

‘It felt good to see [him honoured]. If this culture remains, then the young generation will be inspired to play Test cricket,’ added Mominul.