The air in Mirpur crackled with anticipation as the second Test of Ireland’s 2025 tour of Bangladesh got underway on Wednesday, November 19, at the Shere Bangla National Stadium. But the real story wasn’t just the toss — Najmul Hossain Shanto chose to bat — or even the lingering ghosts of Sylhet’s innings defeat. It was Mushfiqur Rahim, crouched behind the stumps, one match away from becoming the first Bangladeshi to reach 100 Test appearances. At 36, with 6,000 Test runs and two decades of grit behind him, this isn’t just a number. It’s a legacy carved in sweat and silence, through losses and comebacks, from Lord’s in 2005 to this humid Dhaka afternoon.
A Milestone in the Making
Mushfiqur Rahim didn’t just stumble into this milestone. He earned it. He was there when Bangladesh’s first Test win felt like a dream. He was there when the team collapsed in England, when they stunned Australia in 2017, when they finally beat India in a Test in 2022. His 99 Tests have been a mirror to Bangladesh’s cricketing soul — resilient, often underestimated, always fighting. Former captain Tamim Iqbal put it best: “Mushfiqur’s 100th Test should be celebrated by every Bangladesh cricket lover.” And they will be. Banners are up. Fans are arriving hours early. Even the ground staff paused their prep to applaud him during practice.
He’s not just a keeper. He’s a tactician. A leader in the dressing room. A man who once scored a gritty 90 in a rain-ruined draw against South Africa when no one else could hold the line. This match? It’s his coronation.
Ireland’s Fight Against the Odds
Meanwhile, Andrew Balbirnie and his Ireland side are staring down the barrel. Their first Test in Sylhet ended in a 10-wicket hammering — an innings and 47-run defeat inside three days. They were bowled out for 126 in the first innings. Then, in the second, they collapsed to 51-5. It looked over.
Until Lorcan Tucker walked in.
On debut. At 23. With a Test career still unwritten. Tucker, the wicketkeeper-batter, turned disaster into history. He smashed 108 from 149 balls — 14 fours, a six — becoming only the sixth wicketkeeper ever to score a century on Test debut. He partnered with Harry Tector (56) and later Andy McBrine to stitch together two vital partnerships on a slow Sylhet track. That innings didn’t win the match. But it gave Ireland something they desperately needed: belief.
Now, in Dhaka, they face a different beast. The pitch here is faster, the spinners hungrier. And Mushfiqur? He’s been waiting for this.
The Pitch, the Pressure, and the Earthquake
Shere Bangla National Stadium has hosted 32 Tests. Bangladesh has won 15. The surface? A classic subcontinental canvas — slow turn, variable bounce, and a tendency to crumble under pressure. The Irish batsmen will need more than guts. They’ll need patience. And discipline. Something they lacked in Sylhet.
Then came the twist. On the third day, at 3:30 a.m. local time, a minor earthquake rattled the stadium. No injuries. No damage. But it froze the match for 17 minutes. Players stood still. Umpires checked the pitch. Spectators whispered. It felt surreal. Like nature itself was pausing to honor the occasion. Tucker, still in the middle, later said: “It was strange. But we kept our focus. That’s what you do when you’re trying to prove something.”
Behind the Scenes: Coaching and Culture
Coach Phil Simmons — not the retired “Whatmore” as some reports misstated — has been quietly reshaping Ireland’s approach. He’s instilled structure. Accountability. And, most importantly, a belief that Test cricket isn’t just a stepping stone to T20s. “We’re not here to make up the numbers,” he told reporters before the match. “We’re here to learn. To grow.”
For Bangladesh, the pressure is quieter but no less real. Mominul Haque, the veteran batter and former captain, spoke of Mushfiqur’s influence: “He doesn’t shout. He doesn’t need to. When the game gets tight, you look to him. And he’s always there.”
What Comes Next
Even if this Test ends early — and with Bangladesh’s spin trio of Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, and Hasan Mahmud in full flow, it might — the series isn’t over. Three T20Is follow, starting November 27 in Chattogram. Ireland’s T20 side has shown flashes of brilliance. But this Test? This is about legacy.
Mushfiqur’s 100th Test isn’t just a personal triumph. It’s a statement. Bangladesh isn’t just a T20 side anymore. It’s a Test-playing nation with heroes who’ve carried it through decades of struggle. And on this pitch, in this moment, the world is watching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Mushfiqur Rahim’s 100th Test such a big deal for Bangladesh?
No Bangladeshi player has ever reached 100 Test appearances. Mushfiqur Rahim’s longevity — spanning 20 years since his 2005 debut — reflects Bangladesh’s evolution from Test newcomers to a stable Test nation. His 6,000+ runs and 300+ dismissals behind the stumps make him the backbone of their Test identity, and his milestone symbolizes national progress in the longer format.
How did Lorcan Tucker’s debut century change Ireland’s Test narrative?
Tucker’s 108 on debut was only the second Test century ever scored by an Irish batter and the sixth by a wicketkeeper in Test history. It gave Ireland tangible proof they can compete, even against top-tier sides. His resilience under pressure shifted perceptions — from “minnows” to a team with emerging talent capable of building innings, not just surviving them.
What’s the significance of the Shere Bangla National Stadium in this series?
The stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, has hosted 32 Tests since 1999, with Bangladesh winning 15 — the most victories of any Test venue in the country. Its slow, turning pitch favors home spinners and has been the site of many of Bangladesh’s biggest Test wins, including their historic 2017 victory over South Africa. For Mushfiqur, it’s a familiar battleground where he’s delivered some of his most crucial performances.
What impact will this Test have on Ireland’s future in Test cricket?
Ireland’s Test status is still provisional, and their performance in this series could influence their chances of securing full membership in the ICC’s Test program. A competitive showing — even a narrow loss — would strengthen their case. Tucker’s form and the team’s improved discipline under Phil Simmons suggest they’re moving beyond one-off surprises toward sustainable growth in the five-day game.
When are the next matches in the Ireland-Bangladesh series?
After the Test ends on November 23, the teams will play three T20 Internationals: the first on November 27 in Chattogram at 6:00 pm BST, the second on November 29 also in Chattogram, and the third on December 1 in Dhaka at 2:00 pm BST. These matches will test Ireland’s ability to adapt from slow Test pitches to high-octane T20 conditions.
Has an earthquake ever interrupted a Test match before?
Yes, but rarely. In 2001, a quake in Gujarat paused play during a Test between India and South Africa. In 2015, Nepal’s tremors halted a local match. The 2025 Dhaka tremor was minor and brief — 17 minutes — but it’s a rare, eerie moment in Test history, adding emotional weight to Mushfiqur’s milestone. It felt less like disruption and more like a natural pause for reflection.