Mominul Haque became only the second Bangladeshi to save a Test match with a fourth-innings century, joining Nafees Iqbal with his unbeaten 100 against Sri Lanka in the second Test in Chittagong on Friday. Mominul, Bangladesh cricket’s newest baby-face, spent more than three hours on a fifth day track to defy the Sri Lankan bowlers who, with a massive score behind them, threw everything they could to unsettle the young batsman.
However, he faced 167 balls with conviction and shared a 120-run fourth-wicket stand with Sakib al Hasan to frustrate the islanders. He was not bogged down for one second and he hit 11 boundaries to shatter the morale of the Sri Lankan bowlers.
In an unusual turn for Bangladesh cricket, Mominul dominated his partnership with Sakib, who was happy to play second fiddle for an unbeaten 43.
Just three months ago at this very ground, New Zealand bowled an over more than required to allow Sakib to complete his fifty, but Sri Lanka were not ready to do the same in this game.
Angelo Mathews offered to end the contest as soon as Mominul nudged Nuwan Pradeep for a single to reach the three-figure mark and the two batsmen agreed readily.
This is the sixth time that a Bangladeshi player has scored a century in the fourth innings of a Test match, but apart from Nafees – the elder brother of opener Tamim Iqbal – and now Mominul, none were able to end the game on a happy note.
Nafees scored 121 off 355 balls against Zimbabwe in Dhaka to lead Bangladesh to a draw to secure their first ever series win in 2005.
Though Bangladesh lost the series this time, the draw against a much superior side at least helped them salvage some pride after the innings and 248-run thrashing in the first Test in Dhaka.
Mominul now has three centuries in his seven-Test career, including an innings of 181 against New Zealand at the same ground in October.
However, he rates this century ahead of the 181 and the 126 not out he scored against New Zealand in the ensuing rain-hit Test in Dhaka.
‘I would put this century ahead of the others as I had to work really hard to get this,’ Mominul said after the match.
‘They were pitching the ball in the right areas and we were also under pressure in the game,’ said Mominul, whose only nervous moment came when he was batting in the 90s. Mominul managed to brush it aside, adding that it happens to many great players.
‘Many great players were nervous in the 90s. Naturally it can happen to me,’ said Mominul.
‘My plan was to bat till lunch, then tea and then at least an hour. In fact I was looking to bat at least 100 overs. I tried for it for the team and thank God I was successful.’
-With New Age input
