Mushfiqur Rahim probably didn’t sleep much tonight. The legend ended on Day 1 stuck on 99 runs. Just one run away from a perfect century in his 100th Test match!
This wasn’t any ordinary game for Rahim either. He became the first Bangladeshi player to reach the 100th Test milestone. That’s massive for Bangladesh cricket. The occasion deserved something special from him.
Before the match started, emotions ran high at Mirpur. Former captain Habibul Bashar presented Mushfiqur Rahim with his 100th Test cap. You could see what this moment meant to everyone. Cricket has come a long way.
Bangladesh’s Strong Start Against Ireland
Bangladesh posted 292 runs for 4 wickets on Day 1. That’s a pretty solid start against Ireland. The pitch looked decent for batting. But credit goes to the batters for capitalizing.
Mushfiqur Rahim walked in and immediately took control. He looked comfortable from the first ball itself. His 99* included five beautiful boundaries. Every shot screamed experience and class.
Mominul Haque gave him excellent support from the other end. Mominul scored a fine 63 runs before getting out. Litton Das chipped in with 47 runs too. These partnerships helped the team build a strong position.
Andy McBrine’s Brilliant Bowling
Ireland didn’t give up without a fight though. Andy McBrine bowled his heart out throughout the day. He grabbed 4 wickets for 82 runs in 26 overs. That’s seriously good bowling on this surface.
McBrine kept creating pressure with tight lines. He dismissed key batters at crucial moments. Without him, Bangladesh might have scored 350 plus easily.
Will Mushfiqur Complete His Century?
Everyone’s waiting for Day 2 now. Mushfiqur Rahim needs just one run to complete his century. Imagine scoring a hundred in the 100th Test match. That would be absolutely perfect timing.
But cricket doesn’t always follow scripts. He must be feeling the nerves today. Getting out on 99 would haunt him forever. The pressure of that single run is real.
His fans are praying he gets there quickly. Their legend deserves this special moment. Rahim has carried Bangladesh cricket for years. A century in this would be the perfect celebration.
The cricketing world is watching Mirpur closely on day 2. Will Mushfiqur Rahim wake up and complete his fairytale? We’ll find out soon enough.
