Ireland Head Coach Malan says ‘Playing 100 Tests for your country is fantastic’

Agency :

As Bangladesh prepare for their upcoming Test against Ireland in Mirpur, Mushfiqur Rahim stands just one match away from becoming the first cricketer in the country’s history to reach the 100-Test milestone.

The achievement caps off two decades of unwavering commitment, professionalism, and relentless hard work from the veteran wicketkeeper-batter.

In the match beginning tomorrow at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Mushfiqur is set to cross a landmark that represents far more than just a number it’s a reflection of his remarkable 20-year journey in Bangladesh cricket.

Ireland Head Coach Heinrich Malan, though relatively new to observing Mushfiqur up close, praised one particular trait at a press conference in Mirpur on Monday. Asked what quality he would want his own players to adopt from Mushfiqur, Malan responded:
“I’d say his professionalism. I’m someone who wakes up early, and every day around 5:45 in the morning, I see him having breakfast at the hotel. He’s always the first to get on the bus. When he arrives at the ground, warms up, and starts his batting drills, most others have only just reached. When you do so much behind the scenes, the spotlight finds you naturally.”

Ireland only began their Test journey in 2018 and have played a mere 10 Tests before this series. In that context, Malan views Mushfiqur’s impending 100th Test as a monumental achievement:
“Playing 100 Tests for your country is fantastic. We as a team have played only 10 (11 including the Sylhet Test). That tells you how long a journey he’s been on, and how hard he has worked for Test cricket.”