Mushfiqur Rahim beat Tamim Iqbal to the punch as the former became the first Bangladeshi batter to have reached the 5000-run landmark in Tests during the Tigers’ fourth day’s play of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Chattogram today.
With a couple of runs off Asitha Fernando, Mushfiqur went past 68-run mark and achieved the historic feat in front of a near audience-less galleries at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. Only in the western gallery where tarpaulin is installed, saw the presence of spectators, taking refuge from the scorching sun, who were there to cheer for Mushfiqur alongside his teammates in the dressing room.
Bangladesh are 360 for three after 122.3 overs in reply to the Lankans’ 397 all out in the first innings, trailing by 37 runs.
Both Mushfiqur and Tamim were on the verge of achieving the feat before the Chattogram Test. Tamim, despite being behind in the race before the start of the Test, had closed in on the landmark score with a magnificent ton, his 10th Test century, on the third day.
However, Tamim, after suffering a cramp, had to retire hurt on 133 off 217 deliveries, just 19 runs shy of the 5000-run mark. With Tamim unable to continue batting after the tea break on Day 3, Mushfiqur was able to reach the feat early.
Mushfiqur, who made his debut at Lord’s against England in 2005, was the frontrunner to achieve the feat as he was on 4932 runs in 80 Tests before the start of the Chattogram Test.
The experienced campaigner, on way to the landmark score, also brought up his 26th Test fifty while stitching together a hundred-run stand with Liton.
