Bangladesh players have scored a total of 50 centuries overall from 119 Test matches in their 20-year journey in the longer version. Among those hundreds, on five occasions the Tigers batsmen converted the tons into double hundred. Mushfiqur Rahim alone has scored three double centuries, while Tamim Iqbal and Shakib al Hasan has bagged one apiece. Let’s recall those double tons chronologically.
Mushfiq 200 against Sri Lanka in Galle in 2013
Mushfiq became the first ever Bangladeshi to reach the double hundred milestone in Test history. The wicketkeeper-batsman stitched together a 267-run stand for the fifth wicket with Mohammad Ashraful against host Sri Lanka in the first Test of the series at Galle in March, 2013. It was kind of a drama as Ashraful himself was closing in on his first double century as he was unbeaten on 189 at the close of play on day three. But as it were, Ashraful got out on 190 on day four and Mushfiq later created history. Mushfiq was undefeated on 152 at the end of day three, and although Ashraful missed the golden opportunity, Mushfiq held his nerve and reached the 200-mark. The right-hander’s 200 came off 367 deliveries and was composed with 22 fours and a six.
Mushfiq is the first ever Bangladeshi to score a double ton in Tests, achieved against Sri Lanka in the Galle Test in 2013
Tamim 206 against Pakistan in Khulna in 2015
The second double ton for the Tigers came in 2015 in Khulna against visiting Pakistan, and it was opening batsman Tamim. It was a crucial innings from Tamim as Bangladesh started their second innings trailing by 296 runs against a very good bowling attack. Tamim and Imrul Kayes set about their innings, forming 312 for the opening partnership as the match petered to a draw. Tamim’s 206 came off 278 balls with a strike rate of 74.1. The southpaw struck 17 boundaries and seven sixers in his brilliant innings. It has to be mentioned that the other opener Imrul was also magnificent with a 150-run knock off 230 deliveries with 16 fours and three sixes.
Tamim Iqbal goes big during his electrifying double century against Pakistan in the Khulna Test in 2015 Dhaka Tribune/Md Manik
Shakib 217 against New Zealand in Wellington in 2017
It was a typical green-top wicket in windy Wellington prior to the first Test in January, 2017, against New Zealand. The Kiwis elected to bowl first with the likes of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner in their bowling armory. Asked to bat first, Bangladesh saw a couple of entertaining fifties from Tamim and Mominul Haque, which set the tone for the middle-order. Later, it was the heroics of Shakib (217) and Mushfiq (159) that helped Bangladesh to 595 for the loss of eight wickets declared in the first innings. Shakib’s majestic 217-run knock came off 276 balls with 31 boundaries. It was a record back then as the highest individual score by a Bangladeshi in Tests. Mushfiq’s knock was superb as well as he hit 23 fours and a sixer. Despite Shakib and Mushfiq’s scintillating batting effort, Bangladesh still contrived to surprisingly lose the game by seven wickets.
Shakib al Hasan plays down the ground en route to his double hundred against New Zealand in the Wellington Test in 2017 AFP
Mushfiq 219* against Zimbabwe in Dhaka in 2018
The fourth double ton by a Bangladeshi came against Zimbabwe in Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium and it was scored by Mushfiq in the second Test in November, 2018. The diminutive Mushfiq in that innings leapfrogged Shakib’s record (217) as the highest individual scorer in Tests for Bangladesh. Mushfiq played 421 deliveries en route to his record breaking 219 not out, which is also another record for the most number of balls faced by a Bangladeshi in Tests. Mushfiq blasted 18 boundaries and an over boundary in that innings. Mushfiq and Mominul added 266 for the fourth wicket in the first innings. Mominul also played a key innings, scoring 169 in the first innings, but fell short of a well deserved first double hundred in his career. Mushfiq’s 219 not out is still the highest individual score by a Bangladeshi in Tests.
Mushfiq pulls during his double century against Zimbabwe in the Dhaka Test in 2018 Dhaka Tribune/Md Manik
Mushfiq 203* against Zimbabwe in Dhaka in 2020
The fifth double hundred by a Bangladeshi in Tests also came from Mushfiq’s willow, and it was the third time the Bogra lad crossed the 200-mark in five-day cricket. The opposition and venue were similar to the scene of Mushfiq’s second double ton as he scored an unbeaten 203 against the Zimbabweans in Dhaka in February, 2020. Mushfiq did not travel to Pakistan to play the Test series due to personal reason but after the Pakistan series, he featured with a double century against the African nation in the lone Test. Mushfiq’s 203 came from 318 deliveries with 28 fours. Captain Mominul (132) also scored a hundred in that match. The Tigers eventually won the game by an innings and 106 runs and Mushfiq was adjudged player of the match for his brilliant double ton.