Tiny Mominul stands tall in Tigers’ resurrection

His Midas Touch key to fixing Bangladesh’s perennial batting problem

Mominul Haque finally played to his full potential to lift Bangladesh not only from a jittery start that saw them reeling to a perilous 26 for three but also helped the side recover the lost pride, guiding them to score over 200 for the first time after eight Test innings. The diminutive man’s epic 161 was instrumental in Bangladesh’s 303-5 at the end of the first day of the second and final Test.

It was also Bangladesh’s 300 plus score after nine innings and incidentally Mominul Haque’s 176 was also key in that innings against Sri Lanka in last February. Bangladesh scored 513 and drew the high scoring match. Mominul also scored a second innings century in that match to become the first Bangladeshi batsman to score century in both innings.

Stat suggested that Mominul Haque’s service at the middle order is as important as that of Bangladesh’s big four (Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullha Riyad). Sometimes it looked his presence is more imperative than his illustrious colleagues.

In the last eight Test innings that Bangladesh played, Shakib was part of just two Test (four innings) because of his recurring injury, Tamim was part of three Tests (six innings) while Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim played all of the innings.

Mominul tasted a prolonged bad patch for the first time in those eight Test innings with four single digit figure including three 0 scores, while his highest was just 15. His bad patch was the chief reason that Bangladesh couldn’t get past 200 in those eight Test innings.

His service is imperative given the fact that he connected the top order and middle order, playing in one-down position. If he fails, middle order lost its solidity despite the good start from the openers. Last time when Bangladesh scored over 200, all the big players played around him—Tamim scored 52, Mushfiqur made 92 and Mahmudullah hit 83 not out and even Liton Das scored 94 in the second innings.

And in this Test when Bangladesh were struggling at 26 for three, Mominul’s stable presence gave Mushfiqur Rahim the confidence to help Bangladesh recover from the collapse. It won’t be exaggerating to say that if Mominul fails again, Mushfiqur perhaps couldn’t stop the rut all alone.

The innings indeed was a due for a batsman, considered as Test material only but his 161 showed how badly needed Mominul’s presence in the crease if Bangladesh want a good score always.

Down to the earth, Mominul however was keen to give all credit to Mushfiqur Rahim to resurrect Bangladesh

“Mushfiqur bhai guided me throughout my innings. I found out why he is one of the top five players in Bangladesh. It really helped me. I think his input was important for me,” said Mominul.

He also informed that he didn’t try too many things during his lean batting patch as he focused on to be mentally strong irrespective of the situation.

“I don’t try to complicate my batting. It is easier if you focus only on seeing the ball and playing the ball. You have to be mentally strong. Sometimes people say things when I am not scoring runs but that’s normal. Everyone would.”

Though in Bangladesh’s case, batsmen hardly gets the rhythm if he doesn’t play all format simultaneously Mominul said he adjusted him with the condition after starting to play just one format.

“I get more time for preparation. It is all about how you think about it. I don’t think about using one format to get into the team of another format.”

With his 161, Mominul has now three 150-plus knock under his belt, highest by any Bangladeshi batsman but at the same time, the double century continued eluding him. He seemed to be unfazed by this fact.

“If Bangladesh are chasing 350-400 runs, maybe then I will get my double-hundred. It is not about myself or my runs, it is mainly for the team. I think it is better if my double-hundred comes later, then my hunger will keep increasing. I think if I get it too soon, my hunger will be met.”

And that hunger actually keeps the diminutive man apart from the others.

 

Tiny Mominul stands tall in Tigers resurrection

His Midas Touch key to fixing Bangladeshs perennial batting problem

Mominul Haque finally played to his full potential to lift Bangladesh not only from a jittery start that saw them reeling to a perilous 26 for three but also helped the side recover the lost pride, guiding them to score over 200 for the first time after eight Test innings. The diminutive mans epic 161 was instrumental in Bangladeshs 303-5 at the end of the first day of the second and final Test. It was also Bangladeshs 300 plus score after nine innings and incidentally Mominul Haques 176 was also key in that innings against Sri Lanka in last February. Bangladesh scored 513 and drew the high scoring match. Mominul also scored a second innings century in that match to become the first Bangladeshi batsman to score century in both innings. Stat suggested that Mominul Haques service at the middle order is as important as that of Bangladeshs big four (Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullha Riyad). Sometimes it looked his presence is more imperative than his illustrious colleagues. In the last eight Test innings that Bangladesh played, Shakib was part of just two Test (four innings) because of his recurring injury, Tamim was part of three Tests (six innings) while Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim played all of the innings. Mominul tasted a prolonged bad patch for the first time in those eight Test innings with four single digit figure including three 0 scores, while his highest was just 15. His bad patch was the chief reason that Bangladesh couldnt get past 200 in those eight Test innings. His service is imperative given the fact that he connected the top order and middle order, playing in one-down position. If he fails, middle order lost its solidity despite the good start from the openers. Last time when Bangladesh scored over 200, all the big players played around himTamim scored 52, Mushfiqur made 92 and Mahmudullah hit 83 not out and even Liton Das scored 94 in the second innings. And in this Test when Bangladesh were struggling at 26 for three, Mominuls stable presence gave Mushfiqur Rahim the confidence to help Bangladesh recover from the collapse. It wont be exaggerating to say that if Mominul fails again, Mushfiqur perhaps couldnt stop the rut all alone. The innings indeed was a due for a batsman, considered as Test material only but his 161 showed how badly needed Mominuls presence in the crease if Bangladesh want a good score always. Down to the earth, Mominul however was keen to give all credit to Mushfiqur Rahim to resurrect Bangladesh Mushfiqur bhai guided me throughout my innings. I found out why he is one of the top five players in Bangladesh. It really helped me. I think his input was important for me, said Mominul. He also informed that he didnt try too many things during his lean batting patch as he focused on to be mentally strong irrespective of the situation. I dont try to complicate my batting. It is easier if you focus only on seeing the ball and playing the ball. You have to be mentally strong. Sometimes people say things when I am not scoring runs but thats normal. Everyone would. Though in Bangladeshs case, batsmen hardly gets the rhythm if he doesnt play all format simultaneously Mominul said he adjusted him with the condition after starting to play just one format. I get more time for preparation. It is all about how you think about it. I dont think about using one format to get into the team of another format. With his 161, Mominul has now three 150-plus knock under his belt, highest by any Bangladeshi batsman but at the same time, the double century continued eluding him. He seemed to be unfazed by this fact. If Bangladesh are chasing 350-400 runs, maybe then I will get my double-hundred. It is not about myself or my runs, it is mainly for the team. I think it is better if my double-hundred comes later, then my hunger will keep increasing. I think if I get it too soon, my hunger will be met. And that hunger actually keeps the diminutive man apart from the others.