Mushfiq Becomes Bangladesh’s First Batter to Score 7,000 Test Runs

Mr. Mushfiqur Rahim missed the Mirpur Test due to injury. Upon his return to the squad for the Sylhet Test, he had an opportunity to reach a major milestone in the first innings. However, he missed the opportunity after playing a loose shot. This time, though, the experienced batter made no mistake. Showing patience and composure, Mr. Mushfiq reached the 7,000-run milestone, becoming the first Bangladeshi batter to achieve the feat in Test cricket. Overall, he is the 59th batter in the world to score 7,000 runs in this format.
Mr. Mushfiq joined the 7,000-run club during the second session of the fifth and final day of the Sylhet Test yesterday. He reached the landmark by taking a single off West Indies spinner Jomel Warrican in the 20th over of Bangladesh’s second innings. The 39-year-old, Bangladesh’s highest run-scorer in Test cricket, was just 43 runs short of the milestone before the match.
His wait was extended after he was dismissed for 34 in the first innings. However, he needed only nine more runs in the second innings to reach the landmark. Since making his Test debut at Lord’s in May 2005, right-handed Mr. Mushfiq has taken 104 Tests and 197 innings to complete 7,000 runs. Before the Sylhet Test, he had scored 6,957 runs at an average of 39.08 in 195 innings across 106 matches. His tally includes 14 centuries and 30 half-centuries.
Mr. Mushfiq had been 43 runs away from the milestone before the Sylhet Test. He appeared poised to achieve it in the first innings after making a promising start. However, he was dismissed for 34 after edging a delivery from Warrican to the fielder at cover. That left him needing just nine runs before the start of the second innings.
After Bangladesh lost both openers early, Mr. Mushfiq opted for a cautious approach rather than taking unnecessary risks. He comfortably reached the much-awaited milestone.
No other Bangladeshi batter has scored even 6,000 runs in Test cricket. Mominul Haque is second on the list with 5,293 runs in 152 innings, while Tamim Iqbal scored 5,134 runs in 134 innings before retiring.
Mr. Mushfiq’s 14 Test centuries are also a Bangladesh record. Mominul is close behind with 13 centuries, while Tamim ranks third with 10.
Left-handed batter Mr. Mominul, who missed the Sylhet Test under the concussion protocol, has scored 5,293 runs at an average of 37.53 in 152 innings across 82 Tests. His record includes 13 centuries and 28 half-centuries.
Former opener and current BCB President Mr. Tamim has accumulated 5,134 runs in 134 innings across 70 Tests. He has 10 centuries and 31 half-centuries.
Mr. Mushfiq also leads the list for the highest number of fifty-plus scores among Bangladeshi batters, with 44. Mominul and Tamim have 41 each.