Can't believe I played 100 Tests: Mushfiqur

Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim said on Thursday that he still struggles to believe he has played 100 Test matches for his country.

Mushfiqur etched his name into Bangladesh cricket history by becoming only the 11th player to score a century in his 100th Test.

"I actually can't believe that, being a player from Bangladesh, I would play 100 Tests," Mushfiqur told reporters at the post-match press conference. "To be honest, I never even dreamt of it. So it's really a huge achievement. Not just for me but for any cricketer from any nation, it's a proud moment. Obviously, I feel good that I'm that person. It also means my responsibility is even greater, and I will try to live up to that."

He hoped his journey would inspire the next generation. "I hope I can leave behind one or two players in the dressing room after I'm gone so that the gap is filled, Insha'Allah. Hundred Tests is a huge number. By the time you get here, you hope you've learned everything.

"I tried to gather all of that experience and stay calm. And I really thank the BCB again for what they planned that morning. It felt great, I felt honoured. Recognition like this is a big inspiration for any cricketer. At least now, many players in Bangladesh will think that they can play 100 Tests, or even just dream of playing Test cricket. Dreaming is very important. I really enjoyed and felt honoured by the respect they gave me."

Mushfiqur, who has retired from white-ball cricket, added that he has no intention of stopping anytime soon and will begin preparing for his next assignment soon.

"I've said it several times. If you ask me to choose one format, Test cricket is my ultimate goal," he said. "As long as I can, I will try to keep playing Tests, and I want to leave Test cricket last. You have to maintain extra fitness and performance for this format, and I try to prepare myself for that. I always try to contribute for Bangladesh, series by series, match by match.

"Playing the next Test for Bangladesh is the toughest thing, that's the reality," he added. "Every innings is vital, every innings is special."

He said his maiden double-century remains closest to his heart. "Until you achieve something big, the whole group doesn't have that belief. After that 200, at least others started believing that, yes, we can score big runs. After 100 Tests, I think many more in Bangladesh cricket dream of playing this format."

Mushfiqur also spoke about his work ethic, saying he considers himself a "boring person" but someone who has never compromised on professionalism. In Bangladesh, he is widely respected for his discipline and work habits.

"Frankly speaking, I'm actually a boring person," he joked. "If you talk about practice, I can do the same thing every day, whether it's 20 years or the next 40 years if it's necessary for myself and the team. I don't compromise on professionalism.

"Whether I score 100 or zero isn't in my hands. But the effort, the process, the honesty, that is in my control. That's my motto in life, not only in cricket but everything. And even after 100 Tests, in the huddle before the game, I told the team that it felt like I was playing my first match. I was that excited. Every Test is special, and I try to prepare like that each time."

He added that he wants Bangladesh to reach the top six in Test rankings before he retires.

"If you talk about regrets, there's no end to human desires," he said. "But as a senior player who has played Test cricket for so many years, I have one wish - that by the time I leave this team, Bangladesh can at least be in the top six. That's one of my goals. Let's see how much Allah fulfills that."