Mushfiqur Rahim unjustifiably unnoticed among Test cricket’s highest run-scorers – the time is now to sing his praises
As Bangladesh get the latest cycle of the World Test Championship underway with an away trip to Sri Lanka, it makes for interesting reading to see which players have scored the most Test runs for the Asian newcomers.
Unlike more established nations like India and Pakistan, Bangladesh have only been playing Tests since 2000 (their first was against India in November 2000), which means just 25 years of Test history.
Despite that relatively short timeline, Bangladesh have produced several high-class performers – gritty stroke-makers, middle-order stalwarts, and multi-dimensional all-rounders. Who have been their outstanding performers over the years?
In total, 10 players have passed the 2000-run mark for the Tigers in Test cricket – let’s see who they are:
10. Najmul Hossain Shanto (2017-2025): 2,025 Test runs for Bangladesh
Once regarded as a player with more potential than production, Najmul Hossain Shanto has grown into a dependable figure in Bangladesh’s top order. With a technically sound approach and the ability to occupy the crease, Shanto has been a key contributor in recent years.
His tally of over 2,000 Test runs highlights his rise in consistency, particularly between 2022 and 2024, when he notched several match-defining hundreds. At just 26, he should still climb much higher on this list, as his century in the first Test against Bangladesh suggests.
9. Mehidy Hasan Miraz (2016-2025): 2,068 Test runs for Bangladesh
Primarily known for his off-spin, Mehidy Hasan Miraz has also become a useful lower-order batter, often stepping up in times of crisis. With nearly 2,100 runs at an average above 24 – impressive for a player batting at No. 7 or below – Mehidy has provided many crucial contributions, including resilient half-centuries and fighting stands.
His ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him one of the most valuable multi-role players Bangladesh have had in Tests. He has twice reached three figures in Tests.
8. Mohammad Ashraful (2001-2013): 2,737 Test runs for Bangladesh
A prodigy who made headlines with a century on debut at just 17, Mohammad Ashraful was one of the earliest poster boys of Bangladesh cricket. Mercurial, stylish, and infuriatingly inconsistent, Ashraful had all the talent but rarely the temperament to match.
Still, his tally of 2,737 runs, including centuries against Sri Lanka, Australia, and South Africa, made him one of Bangladesh’s mainstays through the tough early years at the start of their Test journey. His international career ended in disappointment, but his contributions remain significant.
7. Litton Das (2015-2025): 2,788 Test runs for Bangladesh
Elegant, wristy, and increasingly reliable, Litton Das has been one of Bangladesh’s brightest batting talents of the past decade. Initially inconsistent, he matured into a technically refined batter capable of anchoring innings or shifting gears when needed.
His average of 34.00 reflects growing consistency, and he’s been one of Bangladesh’s best players in away conditions, particularly in New Zealand and South Africa. As the team evolves, Litton remains a central figure in Bangladesh’s batting unit.
6. Mohammad Mahmudullah (2009-2021): 2,914 Test runs for Bangladesh
Often underrated in the longest format, Mahmudullah quietly amassed close to 3,000 runs in Tests with a solid average of 33.49. Known for his calm presence under pressure, he produced some memorable innings, including a match-saving century in New Zealand and a double-hundred against Zimbabwe in what turned out to be his farewell Test.
His decision to retire from Tests in 2021 surprised many, but his legacy as a crisis man and a dependable middle-order contributor remains intact.
5. Habibul Bashar (2000-2008): 3,026 Test runs for Bangladesh
The original batting stalwart of Bangladesh’s Test team, Habibul Bashar carried the side through its formative years. With his gritty technique and appetite for long innings, Bashar notched up 3,026 runs at a time when victories were rare and team totals often modest.
He captained the side through some of its earliest milestones and is remembered fondly as a pioneer who laid the foundation for those who followed. His role in normalising competitiveness in Tests was vital.
4. Mominul Haque (2013-2025): 4,577 Test runs for Bangladesh
The most prolific Test specialist in Bangladesh history, Mominul Haque thrived particularly on home soil. A compact left-hander, he’s produced 13 Test centuries and has anchored the middle order for more than a decade. Mominul’s calm temperament and ability to bat for long periods made him a natural fit for Test cricket.
His average of 37.21 is among the best in the country’s history, and he briefly captained the side as well, including leading them to a famous win in New Zealand – in a game that saw him score 101 runs while being dismissed just once.
3. Shakib Al Hasan (2007-2024): 4,609 Test runs for Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s greatest all-rounder and arguably their finest cricketer across all formats, Shakib Al Hasan was a titan in Tests and white-ball cricket alike. With over 4,600 runs and 200+ wickets, he joined the elite group of Test all-rounders alongside the likes of Jacques Kallis and Ian Botham.
Shakib’s ability to adapt, whether grinding it out or counterattacking, made him a game-changer. His best came in pressure situations, including away tours in the West Indies and Zimbabwe. Though he retired from Tests in 2024, his impact remains profound.
2. Tamim Iqbal (2008-2023): 5,134 Test runs for Bangladesh
A flamboyant opener with audacious stroke-play, Tamim Iqbal is Bangladesh’s most successful Test opener by some margin. His bold hundreds in England, New Zealand, and the Caribbean are part of Test folklore.
Tamim’s fearless batting style often gave Bangladesh fast starts, and his appetite for runs saw him notch 10 centuries and 31 fifties. His average of 38.89, the highest among the top five, and over 5,000 runs make him one of the true greats of Bangladeshi cricket.
1. Mushfiqur Rahim (2005-2025): 6,160 Test runs for Bangladesh
Sitting atop the pile is Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh’s most accomplished Test batsman. With over 6,000 runs and a career stretching 20 years, he has been the heartbeat of the team through various generations.
Equally adept at playing the long innings and adapting to different match situations, Mushfiqur has scored double hundreds, batted with the tail, and often fought lone battles. A former captain, and once the team’s wicketkeeper, his mental toughness and technical adaptability stand out.
His place at the summit is fitting for a player who gave everything for the red and green. Still going strong at 38-years-old, Mushfiqur bagged another ton in the opening game of the series against Sri Lanka.