Mushfiqur poised for ton in 100th Test

Mushfiqur Rahim marked his 100th Test with a masterclass in patience and poise, closing the opening day in Mirpur on an unbeaten 99 that carried Bangladesh to a strong 292 for 4 after an uncertain morning.

As he walked off just one run short of joining the elite list of players to score a century in their 100th Test on Wednesday, the Sher-e-Bangla crowd rose to salute a batter who had steadied the innings with the composure of a veteran and the hunger of a debutant.

The Tigers’ position owed much to Mushfiqur’s calm reconstruction job and to Mominul Haque’s valuable 63, as well as Litton Das’s fluent 47*. But the day had begun in Ireland’s favour, courtesy of Andy McBrine, who took all four wickets, giving away 82 runs.

Before a ball was bowled, Mushfiqur was greeted with a warm tribute: his family, former captains Akram Khan and Habibul Bashar, and the BCB marked the milestone with a presentation.

Once the applause faded, he locked back into the contest. He played out 67 watchful deliveries before finding his first boundary, an elegant inside-out shot off Matthew Humphreys. His second four, off the first ball after tea, brought up a well-earned fifty.

From there, Mushfiqur unfurled a wider range -- sweeping Humphreys for another four, then rocking back to punish a short one from Gavin Hoey.

He moved into the nineties with a crisp punch through the covers off McBrine, managing the final overs with soft hands and sharp running. He needed three in the last over to reach the milestone but will resume on Saturday with the moment still waiting.

Ireland’s early advantage came through McBrine, who dismantled Bangladesh’s promising start.

Shadman Islam and Mahmudul Hasan Joy added 52 with eight boundaries between them before McBrine trapped the former in front for 35.

Joy, fresh from a century in Sylhet, fell to another slider, also trapped lbw for 34 after Ireland overturned the on-field call.

McBrine’s third, and Ireland’s biggest strike of the session, was captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (8), beaten on the back foot. It made McBrine the first Irish spinner to take three wickets before lunch in a Test.

Mushfiqur’s arrival brought stability.

With Mominul at the other end, Bangladesh rebuilt steadily, though the left-handed batter survived on 23 and 49 -- dropped by Cade Carmichael and Paul Stirling.

His luck expired after tea when a swept ball ricocheted off bat and boot into Balbirnie’s hands, ending his 128-ball innings.

By stumps, Bangladesh had reclaimed control, largely through a man determined to script a centenary to remember.