Mushfiqur Rahim's Masterclass Powers Bangladesh to Epic Rawalpindi Stand

Nineteen years at the top level, 89 Test matches under his belt – Mushfiqur Rahim has seen it all. Yet, he was driven by a burning ambition: to score a century against Pakistan. His meticulous preparation for the Rawalpindi Test underscored the significance of this achievement.

Rahim, who had not played for Bangladesh A in 16 years, returned to the side specifically to prepare for the Test series. He consistently stayed late at practice sessions, meticulously refining his game. When the first Test arrived, Rahim was a picture of focus, exhibiting the classic Mushfiqur artistry. Each shot held meaning, even his defensive strokes, which were aimed at wearing down the bowlers. In a remarkable display of resilience and concentration, Rahim carved out a modern Bangladeshi epic, spanning eight hours and 42 minutes.

His monumental 191 at Rawalpindi eclipsed Tamim Iqbal's record for the most runs and centuries in overseas Tests for Bangladesh. This was also Rahim's first overseas ton in seven years, highlighting the daunting challenge of Test batting in foreign conditions for Bangladeshi batters. They rarely play abroad, and recent struggles at home have often left them lacking in confidence on tour. This was a moment for the senior players to step up, and Rahim rose to the occasion.

Mominul Haque, who scored a half-century on day three, attributed Rahim's success to his unparalleled experience, which allowed him to assess situations quicker than his teammates. "Mushfiq bhai is an incredibly dedicated individual," said Mominul after day three. "Words cannot express his commitment. He bats differently to the rest of us, approaching each delivery with meticulous care. His vast experience is evident, and watching him bat is a masterclass in managing an innings alongside others."

While Rahim's milestones were a cause for celebration, the partnerships Bangladesh forged in this Test were equally encouraging. They had arrived in Rawalpindi facing a 12-month struggle with the bat. When Rahim walked in on the second morning, Bangladesh's score of 147 for 3 mirrored their recent struggles: a promising start followed by a flurry of wickets. Rahim had missed their previous Test series against Sri Lanka, where they only managed to cross 200 once.

Mominul believes Rahim's arrival at the crease impacted Shadman Islam's approach. Shadman, batting on 57 off 132, shifted gears after Rahim joined him, scoring 36 off his last 51 deliveries. He felt comfortable unleashing his drives and cuts, a testament to Rahim's solid presence at the other end. "When I got out, Mushfiq immediately assessed the situation to ensure there was no immediate danger," Mominul explained. "He must have spoken to Shadman, because he started accelerating shortly after Mushfiq's arrival. He played a crucial role."

Shadman eventually fell for 93, after a vital 52-run partnership with Rahim. This was a crucial innings for the left-hander, who was vying to cement his place after replacing the injured Mahmudul Hasan Joy.

Bangladesh subsequently lost Shadman and Shakib Al Hasan in quick succession around tea. Pakistan may have sensed a window of opportunity after Shakib's dismissal, particularly given Litton Das's recent struggles. Litton had managed only one fifty in his last 29 international innings across formats, even facing a brief omission from the ODI side.

However, he walked out with renewed purpose, focusing on rotating the strike before unleashing a barrage against Naseem Shah late on the third day. He plundered 18 runs from one over, including a pulled six that landed outside the stadium. Rahim and Litton shared a vital 114-run stand for the sixth wicket.

When Litton fell on the fourth morning, Bangladesh remained 116 runs behind Pakistan. While the home team may have sensed a chance, Bangladesh had a No. 8 batsman who had come a long way from his early days as a part-timer. Mehidy Hasan, now a regular in the ODI side as a batter and a recognised all-rounder in Test cricket, was more than just the last line of defence. He provided the perfect foil for Rahim, and together they piled on misery for the Pakistan bowlers, setting a new Bangladesh record for the seventh wicket with a 196-run partnership.

At the end of day four, Mehidy revealed the calming effect Rahim had on his partners. "I was quite nervous about the wicket when I reached the crease," he said. "Mushfiq bhai helped me tremendously. He gave me a rundown of the pitch, advising me to play out a few deliveries to adjust to the pace. I found the wicket to my liking and started to rotate the strike. I think I faced around 160-170 balls, but that was only possible because I was batting with Mushfiq bhai. We were the last recognised pair, with only the bowlers left. My goal was to stay at the crease as long as Mushfiq bhai was out there."

It is a rare sight for Bangladesh to out-bat their opponents away from home. While Pakistan may be pulling their hair out at the unresponsive nature of the Rawalpindi pitch, the Bangladeshi batters have played a significant role in exacerbating their frustrations. For Bangladesh, this performance couldn't have come at a better time.

It was no surprise that it was Mushfiqur Rahim who led this batting resurgence, setting an example of partnership building. In doing so, he may have laid out a blueprint for future Bangladeshi successes.

*Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84