Mushfiqur Rahim is on the brink of another milestone at his favourite hunting ground.

A celebratory mood swept through the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium ahead of the second Test against Ireland, as Bangladesh paused to acknowledge a historic moment, with Mushfiqur becoming the first cricketer from the country to reach 100 Test matches.

The tributes began with a touching pre-match ceremony honouring his two-decade journey. He was presented with two special jerseys, one signed by his debut Test teammates from the 2005 Lord's match, and another adorned with the autographs of the current Test squad. Habibul Bashar, his captain in that debut Test, handed him a customised commemorative cap, while Akram Khan, Bangladesh's first Test cricketer, followed by presenting the symbolic cap inside a casket.

BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul and Cricket Operations Chairman Nazmul Abedin, his long-time mentor, then presented a special plaque in front of Mushfiqur's family members, who were in attendance for the occasion.

For Mushfiqur, it was a rare and emotional moment, and he responded with a knock worthy of the stage. His unbeaten 99 has put him within touching distance of joining an exclusive club. Only Colin Cowdrey (England) and Javed Miandad (Pakistan), the first players of their respective countries to reach 100 caps, have scored hundreds in their milestone match.

If he gets there on the second morning, it will be yet another chapter in his storied career, and it feels fitting that it could come at SBNS, his most cherished venue.

By the time he walked in, Mushfiqur had already amassed 5000 runs across formats at this ground, making him the only player in the world to cross that mark at a single venue. His deep familiarity with Mirpur's conditions showed once again as he expertly countered the Irish spin challenge led by off-spinner Andy McBrine, who claimed all four wickets for 82 runs from 26 overs.

At 38, Mushfiqur anchored the innings with trademark calm after Bangladesh slipped to 95 for 3 before Lunch. He steadied the innings in a 107-run stand with Mominul Haque, who made 63 but fell in unfortunate fashion when a sweep off McBrine popped up off the edge and then his boot to second slip.

Mushfiqur later stitched an unbroken 90-run partnership with Litton Das (47 not out), guiding Bangladesh to 292 for 4 at stumps. Despite Ireland slowing the tempo, he never looked rushed, only assured.

Mominul, who has shared the dressing room with him for 12 years, said Mushfiqur remained unfazed by the milestone noise. "Looking at his expression, I don't think he was nervous at all. It was like his very first Test, calm, quiet, and totally in control," said Mominul.

"Towards the end, I thought it would happen today, but they took too long. But I'm not worried. He is used to scoring hundreds and even double-hundreds and so I have full confidence he will finish it tomorrow," he said, adding that the day's scenes felt surreal.

"I have never seen this kind of environment before, honestly. At one point, I thought it was heading toward a retirement ceremony. I've seen similar scenes abroad, and this felt like that," Mominul said with a smile.

BCB Cricket Operations Chairman Nazmul Abedin told Cricbuzz that Mushfiqur has not conveyed any desire to call time on his career, and believes the team's "ambassador of longer-format cricket" will continue in whites.

Whatever the future holds, the present is clear. Mushfiqur is poised to shine again at the SBNS, a venue that has become his true cricketing home.