On Mushfiqur Rahim didn’t just break a record—he rewrote the script for Bangladeshi cricket. On Monday, March 27, 2023, at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter launched the fastest ODI century by a Bangladeshi in history, reaching triple digits off exactly 60 balls during the second match of a three-game series against Crickets Ireland. The innings wasn’t just fast—it was theatrical, tactical, and historic. Rahim, who’s been the quiet backbone of Bangladesh’s batting for over a decade, now holds the record previously held by Shakib Al Hasan, who’d clocked 63 balls against Zimbabwe back in 2009. And this time, Rahim didn’t just beat it—he shattered it with authority.
A Century Built on Timing, Not Just Power
He didn’t start with a bang. Not at first. After Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat, openers Tamim Iqbal (23) and Liton Das (70) laid a solid foundation. Then came the collapse—three wickets for 47 runs, and Bangladesh teetered at 190-4. Enter Rahim. The pressure didn’t faze him. At 50 off 33 balls, he shifted gears like a Formula 1 driver hitting the afterburners. He targeted seamers with drives over mid-off and square cutters wide of point. Against spin, he pulled and ramped with surgical precision. By the time he reached his hundred, the crowd was on its feet—not just for the milestone, but for the sheer audacity of it.
His 108 runs came in the final 10 overs. Fourteen boundaries. Two sixes. No hesitation. No fear. Just pure, unfiltered intent. And he wasn’t done. He stitched together a 228-run partnership with Towhid Hridoy in just 78 deliveries. Hridoy fell just short of his fifty—49 runs—but the damage was done. Bangladesh posted 349-6, their highest ever ODI total, eclipsing the 338-8 they’d scored just two days earlier in the series opener.
More Than a Record—A Milestone
What made this innings even more remarkable was what it meant beyond the scoreboard. With that century, Rahim became the third Bangladeshi cricketer to cross 7,000 runs in ODI cricket, joining the elite company of Shakib Al Hasan and Mohammed Ashraful. He’s now the only Bangladeshi with over 11,000 international runs and 400+ dismissals across formats. This wasn’t just a day at the office—it was the culmination of 15 years of quiet consistency, often overshadowed by flashier names.
"Mushfiqur has been in good touch," said Liton Das after the match. "Today, he was at his best. I have never seen any Bangladeshi batter scoring a century, coming after 30 overs. It was a great treat for the eyes."
And yet, for all the brilliance, the match ended in anticlimax. Rain poured in immediately after Bangladesh’s innings concluded. Officials called it off under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method. No result. No winner on the field. But the record stood. The milestone was immortalized.
What This Means for Bangladesh Cricket
This innings didn’t just elevate Rahim—it signaled a shift in Bangladesh’s ODI identity. For years, they’ve been seen as a team that builds slowly, relies on spin, and chases cautiously. But here was proof: they can dominate. They can attack. They can post totals that intimidate even the most experienced teams. Ireland, who’d taken 4-60 in the first match, were left scrambling. Their pace bowler Graham Hume took 3-58 again, but even he couldn’t contain the onslaught.
It also added weight to the argument that Bangladesh’s home conditions—slow, low pitches—are no longer just a defensive advantage. They’re a launchpad. Sylhet, once considered a minor venue, is now a fortress. The Sylhet International Cricket Stadium has hosted 12 international matches since 2007, but this was its defining moment.
The Road Ahead: One Match, One Series
The third and final ODI was scheduled for Thursday, March 30, 2023—same venue, same stakes. With the series tied 1-0 in Bangladesh’s favor after the abandoned second match, a win would seal the series 2-0. For Ireland, it was a chance to salvage pride. For Bangladesh, it was a chance to ride momentum into the next World Cup cycle.
Rahim’s record-breaking innings didn’t just give fans something to cheer about—it gave the team belief. After years of near-misses and underwhelming performances in ICC events, this was a statement: Bangladesh isn’t just trying to compete anymore. They’re ready to dominate.
Historical Context: A Legacy in the Making
It’s easy to forget that Rahim was already a record-holder before this. Back in 2010, he smashed the fastest Test century by a Bangladeshi—off 74 balls against India. He was also the third Bangladeshi to score a World Cup century, with 102* against Australia in 2015. But ODI cricket had always been the missing piece. Until now.
At 35, Rahim is no longer the young gun. He’s the veteran. The anchor. The quiet force. And on that rainy Monday in Sylhet, he reminded everyone why he’s one of the most underrated players in modern cricket.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Mushfiqur Rahim’s 60-ball century compare globally?
Rahim’s 60-ball century is the 12th-fastest in ODI history and the fastest by any Asian wicketkeeper-batter. Only players like AB de Villiers (31 balls), Corey Anderson (36), and Chris Gayle (38) have reached triple figures quicker. For a player from a Full Member nation with limited ODI pedigree, this places him among global elites—not just regionally.
Why was the match abandoned despite Bangladesh completing their innings?
Rain began falling immediately after Bangladesh’s 50 overs were completed, making the outfield unsafe for play. Under ICC regulations, the match can only be abandoned if the field becomes unplayable before the chasing team begins their innings. Since Ireland hadn’t started batting, the result was declared a no-result under DLS, preserving Bangladesh’s 1-0 series lead.
What impact does this have on Bangladesh’s World Cup chances?
This innings signals Bangladesh’s growing confidence in chasing and posting big totals under pressure. With Rahim, Das, and Hridoy forming a formidable top-to-middle order, they now have the firepower to compete with top teams like India, Australia, and England. It also boosts morale ahead of the 2027 World Cup qualifiers, where high-scoring matches will be crucial.
Is this the peak of Mushfiqur Rahim’s career?
Hardly. At 35, Rahim is playing the best cricket of his life. His strike rate in ODIs has jumped from 72 in 2020 to 98 in 2023. He’s adapting his game—more aggressive in the powerplay, more surgical in the death overs. With his leadership and experience, he’s not just a player anymore—he’s the cornerstone of Bangladesh’s next generation of ODI cricket.
How many Bangladeshi batters have scored 7,000+ ODI runs?
Only three: Mushfiqur Rahim (7,001+), Shakib Al Hasan (over 11,000), and Mohammed Ashraful (7,016). Rahim joined this club during his 60-ball century, becoming the first wicketkeeper-batter from Bangladesh to reach the milestone. He’s also the oldest Bangladeshi to score an ODI century, proving longevity and adaptation are possible even in a fast-evolving game.
What’s next for Bangladesh’s ODI team after this record?
Bangladesh’s next major assignment is the 2024 Asia Cup, followed by World Cup qualifiers in 2025. The team’s strategy is shifting toward aggressive batting and depth in the middle order. Rahim’s performance has given selectors confidence to back younger players like Hridoy and Akbar Ali, while keeping the veteran’s leadership intact. Expect more high-scoring games—and more records.
