Miraz overtakes Shakib to become sixth fastest to 2000 runs and 200 wickets

Mehidy Hasan Miraz had a day to remember in Chattogram as he struck a superb century and became the second Bangladeshi cricketer to achieve the double of 2000 runs and 200 wickets in Test cricket—reaching the landmark in fewer matches than even Shakib Al Hasan.

The morning session at the Bir Sreshtho Matiur Rahman Stadium had not yet resumed after lunch when the stadium's giant screen lit up with a congratulatory message: "Congratulations to Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the 26th cricketer to achieve 2000 runs and 200 wickets in Test cricket." As Blessing Muzarabani warmed up and Miraz waited at the non-striker's end with Tanzim Hasan, the all-rounder looked up at the screen, taking in the rare recognition.

That was just the start of a dramatic and eventful day. A few overs later, Miraz raised his bat for a long-awaited Test hundred—his second in the format, coming more than four years after his first, which also came at this ground in February 2021 against the West Indies.

The hundred came in tense circumstances, with Miraz stranded on 99 and only the last man Hasan Mahmud for company. Facing Victor Masuku, Hasan played out five nervy deliveries with great care, giving Miraz the strike to complete his century in style. The crowd responded with a thunderous ovation, and his teammates applauded warmly. The way Miraz kissed his bat in celebration showed just how much the innings meant to him.

Having started the third day on 16, with Bangladesh leading by 64 runs and three wickets in hand, Miraz first stitched together a 51-run partnership with Taijul Islam. But the defining moment came with the final-wicket stand—Miraz and Tanzim Hasan added 96 runs, taking Bangladesh to 442 for 9 in 127 overs by the time of writing. Their partnership helped the team surpass the 400-run mark in a home Test for the first time in nearly two years and 15 innings. Tanzim's 43-run contribution was invaluable, and Bangladesh's lead had swelled to 215, placing them firmly in control of the Test match.

With the century, Miraz also entered an exclusive club of players with 2000 Test runs and 200 Test wickets—becoming the sixth fastest in history to do so. Only Ian Botham (42 matches), Imran Khan (50), Kapil Dev (50), R Ashwin (51), and Ravindra Jadeja (53) reached the feat quicker. Miraz, who completed his 200th wicket in Sylhet last week during his 52nd Test, crossed 2000 runs in his 53rd—one fewer than Shakib's 54.

That also made him the fastest Bangladeshi to reach the milestone.