Mushfiqur Rahim Breaks Adam Gilchrist's Record with 12th Test Century

At 38 years and 39 days, Mushfiqur Rahim didn’t just play a century—he rewrote history. On June 16, 2025, in the first Test of the series against Sri Lanka at Galle, the Bangladeshi wicketkeeper-batsman smashed his 12th Test century, surpassing Australia’s Adam Gilchrist to become the most prolific century-maker among wicketkeepers in Test cricket history. Rahim’s 164 off 325 balls, laced with nine fours, wasn’t just about numbers—it was a statement of endurance, precision, and quiet greatness.

A Record Years in the Making

Rahim entered the match needing just one more century to eclipse Gilchrist’s 11. He didn’t just match it—he blew past it, adding another layer to a legacy that began in 2010 with a blistering 107 against India in Chittagong. What makes this milestone even more remarkable is his age. At nearly 39, Rahim became the oldest non-opener ever to score a Test century in Sri Lanka, breaking Pakistan’s Younis Khan’s previous record of 37. He’s now the only player in history to score 12 Test tons as a wicketkeeper, a feat Gilchrist never came close to.

And it wasn’t just about the century. Rahim’s innings was the cornerstone of a 264-run partnership with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto for the fourth wicket. That stand turned a fragile 159/3 into a commanding 423/4 by the time rain halted play. Shanto, too, made history that day, notching his maiden Test century in the World Test Championship 2025–27Galle, the opening fixture of the new cycle.

Beyond the Century: The Numbers That Define a Legend

Rahim didn’t just break a wicketkeeper’s record—he rewrote the rules for all-rounder batsmen who never bowl. With this innings, he became the first player in international cricket to cross 15,000 runs without ever bowling a single ball. Gilchrist’s 15,461 runs came in 396 matches. Rahim hit that mark in just 156 Tests. He’s now the only Bangladeshi with over 6,000 Test runs, and his unbeaten 219 against Zimbabwe in 2020 remains Bangladesh’s highest individual score in Test cricket.

He’s also one of only seven players globally to have scored seven or more 150+ innings in Test cricket. The others? Justin Langer, Viv Richards, Mohammad Azharuddin, Cheteshwar Pujara, Chris Gayle, and David Warner. That’s elite company. And yet, Rahim never sought the spotlight. He didn’t celebrate wildly after reaching three figures. He simply nodded, adjusted his gloves, and got back to work.

A Legacy Cemented in Bangladesh Cricket History

The Bangladesh Cricket Board had already honored Rahim in 2017 when he became the first Bangladeshi to play 100 Test matches. That milestone came during a two-match series against Ireland, arranged specifically to mark his achievement. But this? This was different. This wasn’t an anniversary—it was a coronation.

“This isn’t just a personal triumph,” said Chandika Hathurusingha, Bangladesh’s head coach. “It’s proof that consistency, discipline, and patience can outlast talent alone. Young players in Bangladesh now have a blueprint: not to chase headlines, but to build legacies.”

Rahim’s journey has been one of quiet resilience. He endured years of criticism, especially after early struggles in the 2010s. He weathered coaching changes, captaincy shifts, and public scrutiny. Yet he kept turning up. Kept batting. Kept scoring. He’s played through injuries, through losses, through the silence of empty stands during pandemic-era matches. And now, in a packed Galle International Stadium, with Sri Lankan fans applauding a rival’s brilliance, he stood alone at the top of his game.

What’s Next? The Road Beyond 12

With the World Test Championship cycle running through 2027, Rahim has at least two more years of Test cricket ahead. He’s already spoken of wanting to play in the 2027 World Test Championship final—if Bangladesh qualify. At his current rate, he could add another two or three centuries before retiring. But even if he doesn’t, his legacy is secure.

He’s not just Bangladesh’s greatest wicketkeeper. He’s one of the most complete batsmen his country has ever produced. He’s the first to do what no one else has. And in a sport obsessed with records, his name now sits in a category all its own: the most prolific century-maker among wicketkeepers in Test history.