Gone are the days when Bangladesh walked into a competition with the 'underdog' tag, incapable of defeating heavyweight nations on the cricket field. They have exhibited great character, consistency, and most importantly, results. The Bangla Tigers have shown that on their given day, they have the might to conquer the best of teams.
During Bangladesh’s illustrious cricketing journey thus far, they have unearthed many gems who have taken the international circuit by storm with their incredible performances.
Among these match-winners, there are certain batters who have shown immense resilience and skill in the longest format of the game. Let us relive the moments when Bangladesh batters registered their names in history books by smashing a double century.
Here are the five times when Bangladesh batters scored a double century in Test cricket:
5. Mushfiqur Rahim vs Sri Lanka in 2013, Galle
Bangladesh locked horns with Sri Lanka in the first game of the two-match Test series in Galle. After opting to bat, Angelo Mathews & co. posted a daunting 570 runs on the board, riding on the centuries from Kumar Sangakkara (142 runs off 226 balls), Lahiru Thirimanne (155* runs off 256 balls), and Dinesh Chandimal (116* runs off 151 balls).
Bangladesh in response at one stage were 177 for 4 with Mohammad Ashraful waging a lone battle at one end. Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim arrived at the crease and did just what the doctor ordered.
He stitched a sensational 267-run stand with Ashraful to put his side in a better position. After the dismissal of his partner, Rahim continued piling on the runs and went on to create history by becoming the first Bangladesh batter to score a double century in Tests.
The wicketkeeper-batter’s sublime knock of 200 runs off 321 balls consisted of 22 fours and one maximum. Courtesy of sensational knocks from Ashraful (190 runs off 417 balls) and Rahim, the Bangla Tigers posted a mammoth total of 638 runs in their first innings. Bangladesh skipper was adjudged the Player of the Match for his epic knock.
4. Tamim Iqbal vs Pakistan in 2015, Khulna
Bangladesh took the stage alongside Pakistan for the first game of the two-match Test series in Khulna. The Bangla Tigers batted first and scored 332 runs in their first innings. Misbah-ul-Haq & co. in response posted a daunting 628 runs on the board with Mohammad Hafeez scoring a prolific knock of 224 runs off 332 balls.
The visitors were leading by 296 runs and were favourites to win the match. It needed a lionhearted effort from Rahim & co. to deny a Pakistan win, and Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes were up for the challenge. The opening duo stitched an exceptional 312-run stand for the first wicket to stage a terrific comeback.
Imrul’s dismissal did not disturb Tamim as the ace batter continued to dictate terms with the bat and smashed a breathtaking double century. The southpaw scored 206 runs off 278 deliveries. His amazing knock comprised 17 fours and seven sixes. The valiant effort of the openers helped Bangladesh force the match to a draw.
3. Shakib Al Hasan vs New Zealand in 2017, Wellington
Bangladesh faced New Zealand in the first Test of the series on January 2017 in Wellington. The hosts won the toss and put Rahim & co. into bat. The Bangla Tigers were looking solid at 145 for 2 but the Black Caps struck twice within the next 35 balls and it seemed like the Kiwi pace attack might run through the batting line-up.
However, Shakib Al Hasan and Rahim had other plans. The duo weathered the storm and then put on an exhibition with their elegant stroke play. There was no bowler who could escape the wrath of the two Bangladesh batters. Rahim scored 159 runs off 260 deliveries while Shakib smashed a jaw-dropping double-ton.
The ace all-rounder’s epic knock of 217 runs came in 276 deliveries and it included 31 boundaries. Bangladesh posted a mighty total of 595 runs in their first innings. However, the heroics of Shakib and Rahim did not prove to be enough as it was New Zealand, who eventually stood tall in the five-day tussle and won the Test match by seven wickets.
2. Mushfiqur Rahim vs Zimbabwe in 2018, Mirpur
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Bangladesh took on Zimbabwe in the second game of the two-match Test series in Mirpur. The visitors had won the first match and it was a must-win game for the Bangla Tigers to level the series. After deciding to bat first, Mahmudullah & co. had an awful start and were left reeling at 26 for 3.
Bangladesh were in a precarious situation and badly needed a partnership. Rahim joined Mominul Haque to give their team just that. The duo notched up a magnificent 266-run stand to bring the Bangla Tigers back into the game. Though Mominul (161 runs in 247 balls) got out, the wicketkeeper-batter carried on with the good work and scored an exquisite knock of 219* runs off 421 balls.
The ace batter’s double-century comprised 18 boundaries and a maximum. Courtesy of the stunning knocks from Mominul and Rahim, Mahmudullah & co. posted a gigantic total of 522 runs in their first innings. Bangladesh bowlers too came to the party afterwards and the visitors ended up winning the game comprehensively by 218 runs. The wicketkeeper-batter was adjudged the player of the match for his gritty innings.
1. Mushfiqur Rahim vs Zimbabwe in 2020, Mirpur
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Bangladesh clashed with Zimbabwe in Dhaka in February 2020 in the only Test match of the tour. Craig Ervine won the toss and opted to bat.
The visitors scored 265 runs in their first innings with skipper Ervine (107 runs off 227 balls) scoring a superb century. Abu Jayed and Nayeem Hasan were the wrecker-in-chief for Mominul & co. bagging four scalps each.
Bangladesh, in response, were looking good at 172 for 3. Rahim came at the crease and sewed a 222-run stand with Mominul to kill Zimbabwe’s hopes of making a comeback into the game. Though wickets kept tumbling at the other end, the wicketkeeper continued piling on Zimbabwe's agony and struck his third double century in Tests.
Rahim’s remained unbeaten on 203 off 318 deliveries and Bangladesh declared at a colossal total of 560 for 6. The ace batter’s remarkable innings comprised 28 boundaries. After the veteran wicketkeeper’s gallant effort, Nayeem (5 for 82) and Taijul Islam (4 for 78) weaved their magic with the ball to send Zimbabwe packing at 189 and the Bangla Tigers thrashed Ervine & co. by an innings and 106 runs.
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