Zakir Hasan

Zakir Hasan is the first Bangladesh opener to score a Test century on debut. He reached the feat in the fourth innings against India in December 2022, as the hosts stared at a big defeat in Chattogram. That the innings drew a reaction from the great Virat Kohli suggested it frustrated India: a huge credit for the newcomer.

Zakir was 24 when he made his Test debut, seven years after starting out in domestic competitions. By Bangladesh's standards, he turned into a veteran first-class player with 69 matches already under his belt, till his Test debut. It is unusual for a Bangladeshi cricketer to be introduced to international cricket at such an advanced stage, but Zakir did make his international debut in a T20I against Sri Lanka in 2018. It was a one-off game, and he was in danger of being a one-cap wonder, until strong seasons in 2021-22 and 2022-23.

His 173 against India A in November 2022 sealed his place for the upcoming Tests against India. Zakir handled the Indian spin trio of R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel with aplomb as he became only the second Bangladeshi opener to score a Test century against India. Zakir reached the milestone sweeping Patel, before falling to Ashwin on exactly 100.