An elegant 181 by a 22-year old Bangladeshi against the Kiwis

Mominul Haq

In the ongoing test match between Bangladesh and New Zealand in Chittagong, Bangladesh from 9-13October, 2013, the 22-year old youngster Mominul Haq emerged as the star performer for his team Bangladesh. Mominul Haque played a magnificent innings of 181 runs against the Kiwi attack on Friday.

The left-hander came to bat in an adverse situation when Bangladesh was 2 wickets down with just 8 runs on the board. He faced 274 deliveries and sent the ball across the rope for 27-times.

With his brilliant knock of 181 runs against the Kiwis, Mominul Haque achieved a milestone by becoming the 3^rd highest individual scorer for Bangladesh in Test Cricket.

Mominul Haque responded well to the Kiwi bowling attack and stood at the crease for 377-minutes. He hit 27 fours during his innings of 181 runs and became the first Bangladeshi cricketer in Tests to achieve this landmark. He broke the record of Mohammed Ashraful who had 25 fours to his account in a single inning.

He made two significant partnerships for his team. Mominul along with Marshall Ayub added 126 runs for the third wicket before Marshall Ayub returned back to the pavilion for 25 runs. Bangladesh captain – Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul added crucial 121 runs for the fifth wicket and took their team past 300. Mominul was the fifth batsman to fall when he was given leg-before wicket against Corey Anderson.

Before the Bangladesh innings, he had a decent outing with the ball too. Mominul bagged the crucial wicket of BJ Walting for 103 runs to wrap-up the Kiwi innings for 469 runs. Walting was stumped by Mushfiqur Rahim.

Mominul made his Test Debut against Sri Lanka at Galle in March, 2013. The batsman represents Sylhet Royals in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). This match against New Zealand is Mominul’s fourth international Test match appearance.

He had a decent average of 41.60 and two half-century knocks to his credit before this Test match. Mominul’s innings served as a motivational booster for his teammate Sohag Gazi. The Tailender completed his debut century and scored 101 runs batting at No.8. With these vital knocks of Mominul Haq and Sohag Gazi, Bangladesh posted a total of 501 runs in reply of New Zealand’s 469 runs.