Mushfiqur Rahim scored a record-breaking ton
Photo : AP
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Mushfiqur Rahim created history in Galle
- Rahim hit a century on Day 1 against Sri Lanka
- Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto reached the three-figure mark
Rahim walked out to bat with Bangladesh in a spot of bother at 45-3 in the first session after the visitors won the toss and chose to bat. However, Rahim, alongside skipper Najmul Shanto Hossain, ensured that the team did not lose any other wicket through the course of the day and went into stumps in cruise control.
After play on Day 1, Bangladesh are 292-3 with the duo putting an unbeaten partnership of 147 runs. Both players have made centuries, with Shanto batting at 136 while Rahim has 105.
Mushfiqur Rahim Created History
Rahim is also the first player in history to score a ton on Sri Lankan soil after turning 38 as a non-opener. Before 2025 started, no player had a ton on his name post the age of 37.
Oldest Non-Openers To Score Test Century In Sri Lanka
| Player | Age | Team | Opponent | Venue | Year | Batting Position |
| Mushfiqur Rahim | 38 Years, 39 Days | Bangladesh | Sri Lanka | Galle | 2025 | 5 |
| Younis Khan | 37 Years, 216 Days | Pakistan | Sri Lanka | Pallekele | 2015 | 4 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 37 Years, 93 Days | India | Sri Lanka | Colombo (SSC) | 2010 | 4 |
| Mahela Jayawadene | 37 Years, 58 Days | Sri Lanka | South Africa | Colombo (SSC) | 2014 | 4 |
| Allan Border | 37 Years, 43 Days | Australia | Sri Lanka | Moratuwa | 1992 | 6 |
Quite incredibly, only one Sri Lankan features in the list of the five oldest players to make a century on Sri Lankan soil (both overall and as non opener).
Overall, Rahim is the fourth-oldest player to score a test century against Sri Lanka after Misbah-Ul Haq (39 years, 217 days), Alec Stewart (39 years, 66 days, and Khawaja. Misbah scored the ton in Abu Dhabi (2013) while Stewart’s effort was in Manchester (2002) .
Rahim also broke his own record for the oldest Test century by a Bangladesh player. The 38-year-old made the three oldest tons by a player from his country and four of the top five. Mahmudullah is the only other from Bangladesh to reach the three-figure mark after turning 35.
Quite intrestingly, the Bangladesh cricket legend also holds the record for being the second-youngest visiting player to score a double century in Sri Lanka. He is the youngest non-opener and captain to achieve the feat, which he completed in 2013 during the Galle Test with an unbeaten knock of 200 at the age of 25 years, 303 days.
Rahim has been playing Test cricket for two decades after making his debut in 2015 at the of 18. He has 12 centuries to his name, with four of them coming against Sri Lanka. He is Bangladesh’s highest run-getter in the longest format as well as the player with the second most tons for them.
