From Teammate in the First Test to Coach in the 100th: Ashraful and Mushfiqurs Remarkable Journey

In Bangladesh cricket, the names Mohammad Ashraful and Mushfiqur Rahim are intertwined — one was the nation’s first poster boy, the other has become a symbol of discipline and consistency. In 2005, when a teenage Mushfiqur Rahim made his Test debut at Lord’s, Ashraful was his teammate. Two decades later, their names once again share the same dressing room — but this time in different roles. Mushfiqur stands on the verge of his 100th Test match, while Ashraful returns as Bangladesh’s batting coach.

Mohammad Ashraful will serve as the batting coach for Bangladesh in the two-match Test series against Ireland. Speaking to the media after taking up the role, Ashraful expressed deep affection and pride for his former teammate. “I feel very fortunate,” he said. “Allah has given me this opportunity at such a moment — when Mushfiqur is about to play his 100th Test. I was in the dressing room at Lord’s during his debut, and now I’ll be there for his 99th and 100th Tests. That makes me feel truly lucky.”

Ashraful considers Mushfiqur Rahim a role model for all cricketers in Bangladesh. “Since his early days, Mushfiq has been the most disciplined cricketer I’ve ever seen,” he said. “That discipline is the reason he’s been playing for twenty years. In my personal opinion, every current and future Bangladeshi cricketer should look up to Mushfiq as a role model.”

He credits Mushfiq’s longevity and consistency to his disciplined lifestyle. “The key reason behind his success is discipline,” Ashraful explained. “Discipline in everything — food, sleep, training. If you can maintain discipline in these aspects of life, you can achieve what he has.”

Mushfiqur Rahim is set to become the first Bangladeshi cricketer ever to play 100 Test matches — a milestone Ashraful believes is not just Mushfiq’s personal achievement, but a moment of pride for the entire nation. “He will be the first Bangladeshi player to play 100 Tests, which is a massive achievement,” Ashraful said. “He has captained Bangladesh in one format and played across all three. He was also Bangladesh’s first Test double-centurion and has scored three double hundreds in Tests.”

Ashraful is also optimistic about Mushfiq’s current form. “I hope he carries that form into the Ireland series. If he gets a good start, I’m sure he’ll convert it into a big innings. He’s in good touch — he scored a hundred in the second innings of the NCL recently,” he added.

Two decades on, Mushfiqur Rahim stands as a living legend of Bangladesh cricket. And Mohammad Ashraful — once his captain and teammate — will now be beside him again, not as a fellow player, but as a coach, witnessing his dear comrade reach the historic milestone of 100 Test matches.