Bangladesh’s Cricket Never Saw a Streak Like Mushfiqur Rahim’s
It takes more than talent to rewrite national sporting history, and Mushfiqur Rahim has shown he brings something extra every time he steps onto the pitch. The wicketkeeper-batter’s milestones have kept fans talking and fellow cricketers in awe. When he smashed an ODI century off just 60 balls against Ireland in March 2023, it wasn’t just about racking up another personal record—he broke boundaries for all of Bangladesh cricket. No Bangladeshi player had raced to three figures so fast before. Not only that, he became the third Bangladeshi ever to reach 7,000 runs in ODIs, joining a legendary club that speaks volumes about his consistency and hunger for runs.
Go back two years. In May 2021, Mushfiq pulled off something Bangladesh had waited decades for. His unbeaten 125 against Sri Lanka sealed Bangladesh’s first-ever ODI series win over the Lankans. That victory carried extra meaning—across formats, it marked his 150th international match won as a Bangladesh player, a trailblazing achievement that put him alone in the record books.
Not Just Numbers: Defining Moments and a Dash of Controversy
Mushfiq isn’t all about milestones; he’s a player made for moments that matter. His 219 against Zimbabwe in 2018 showed his grit in the longest format. That double century made him the first wicketkeeper from Bangladesh with two Test double tons, putting him right up there with cricket’s elite. Fast forward to the 2019 World Cup, and he’s smashing a maiden World Cup hundred versus Australia—a highlight in a campaign where Bangladesh punched above their weight.
This career hasn’t been spotless. In December 2023, during a Test in New Zealand, Mushfiqur got out for obstructing the field—a dismissal so rare in Test cricket it hadn’t happened for 72 years. The incident set off debates everywhere, with fans and pundits combing through the footage to decide if it was fair. For better or worse, it added another unforgettable chapter to Mushfiqur’s story.
He hasn’t just been a force at the international level. Domestically, Mushfiq chalked up more than 6,500 runs, and his performances caught the eye of T20 franchises across the globe. He became the go-to pro for teams needing experience under pressure. And when he announced his ODI retirement in March 2025, there was a flood of tributes—not just for the runs or the hundreds, but for the example he set on and off the field.
Bangladesh cricket has produced some exciting talents, but it’s hard to look beyond Mushfiqur Rahim when you talk about records, resilience, and lasting impact. He’s played key roles in transforming Bangladesh from underdogs to serious contenders, using technique and timing to deliver time and time again. The milestones aren’t just numbers; they’re reminders of how one cricketer can raise a country’s game and spirit one innings at a time.