Twelve years -- that’s how long the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) went without an auction. And with unexpected surprises, unprecedented requests, and an overall underwhelming foreign-player pool, Sunday’s return to the auction table was, in many ways, reflective of the BPL’s fragile reputation.

For Ireland, opportunities are still a luxury; for Bangladesh, milestones are a testament to endurance and experience.

“Really lucky to share this dressing room, and in the near future we will have a great team," said Mushfiqur.

"Cricket is a game where, even after 20 years, you can experience many new things." he said.

Bangladesh’s veteran star Mushfiqur Rahim dedicated his 100th Test appearance, which he made extra special with a ton, to his paternal and maternal grandparents.

Only five fours in the innings, Mushfiqur's classic on his hundredth Test, is pretty much another reflection of his determination.

The right-hander became only the 11th player in history to score a hundred in their 100th Test match.

Mushfiqur’s 106-run innings ended when he edged a good-length, turning delivery from Humphreys.

Accolades were bestowed and heartfelt tributes flowed as Mushfiqur Rahim became the first Bangladeshi to enter the 100-Test club against Ireland in Dhaka on Wednesday. But for the celebrations to feel truly complete, it needed the history-maker himself to produce something special.

When the umpires were discussing calling an end to the first day’s play in the second Test, Bangladesh requested one more over. But time had already elapsed, leaving Mushfiqur Rahim stranded on 99 not out in his landmark 100th Test.

While the stadium buzzed with anticipation, one of Mushfiqur’s closest teammates, Shakib Al Hasan, took to Facebook to share a deeply personal and inspiring message.

Habibul Bashar, who had presented Mushfiqur with his original Test cap in 2005, handed him a special commemorative cap to mark the milestone

Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and opted to bat in the second Test of the two-match series against Ireland at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Phil Simmons, head coach of the Bangladesh cricket team, appeared before the media at the official press conference in Mirpur on Tuesday, ahead of the second Test against Ireland starting on Wednesday.

I was already a regular member of the Bangladesh team when Mushfiqur Rahim arrived on the scenes in 2005 in the England tour. He announced himself by scoring a hundred and a fifty in practice matches against County sides. He then made his Test debut at Lord’s as a specialist batter as Pilot bhai (Khaled Mashud) was still our wicketkeeper. But after the Lord’s Test, he unfortunately twisted his ankle while coming down the staircase and had to return home.

As Mushfiqur Rahim walks out to play his 100th Test match, Bangladesh cricket celebrates not just a milestone, but a man whose impact on our game goes far beyond statistics. I have had the privilege of coaching Mushfiqur in two different periods of Bangladesh cricket -- first from 2014 to 2017, and again from 2023 to 2024 -- and what remains constant is his unwavering professionalism, commitment, and leadership.

What does it take to play a 100 Tests? After sifting through the statements of the 83 players who have achieved this feat till now, a few common qualities stand out: hard work, grit, discipline, and a bit of luck.

When Mushfiqur Rahim debuted for Bangladesh back in 2005 at the age of 18, Dav Whatmore was the head coach of the Tigers. On the occasion of Mushfiqur’s 100th Test, the 71-year-old former Australia batter talked to The Daily Star’s Samsul Arefin Khan and shared his observation about Mushfiqur’s illustrious career. The excerpts are as follows:

The 38-year-old is set to become the first from the country to reach the milestone when Bangladesh face Ireland in the second Test on Wednesday. 

“I see him at the hotel every morning at 6:15, having breakfast and heading straight to warm-ups."