IND vs BAN: Mominul Haque slams Test ton a day after turning 33; Why Bangladesh need him more than ever

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Kanpur, Sep 30: Bangladesh's seasoned Test batter, Mominul Haque, demonstrated resilience and class on the opening day of the second Test match here at Green Park against India, as international cricket returned to the historic venue after a gap of three years.

Mominul, who remained unbeaten on 40 when bad light and persistent rain curtailed play after just 35 overs, was the lone warrior for Bangladesh in difficult conditions on Day 4. Resuming batting on Monday (September 30), a day after he celebrated his 33rd birthday, his task was cut out.

With the second and third days completely washed out due to relentless rain, the moisture accumulated under the covers transformed the pitch into a happy hunting ground for pace bowlers as play resumed on the fourth day.

India's pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, relished the conditions and consistently troubled the Bangladeshi batters, picking up wickets at regular intervals. But Mominul, a veteran of 64 Tests, knew his task: survive the opening session and then build on his innings.

Lone Warrior Amidst a Tumbling Batting Lineup

Bangladesh resumed batting at 107/3 on Monday (September 30) and the middle-order once again faltered under Bumrah's masterful bowling. However, Mominul - at 5 feet and 2 inches - stood tall at the crease.

The left-hander displayed exceptional grit, weathering the initial storm with his trademark composure. Even as his partners perished at the other end, the Bangladesh number three remained unfazed, blocking out deliveries and refusing to give in to the pressure.

Once he settled into his rhythm, the boundaries began to flow. Mominul unfurled his elegant cuts and drives, playing Bumrah and the Indian attack with increasing authority. His determination culminated in a well-deserved century, reached off 172 balls, making him only the second Bangladeshi batter to score a hundred on Indian soil in Test cricket.

This ton was Mominul's second century in away Tests and the 13th of his career, moving him past teammate Mushfiqur Rahim to become Bangladesh's leading century-maker in Test cricket. It was a timely reminder of his class and importance in the Bangladesh Test setup. While a ton against a formidable Indian side should always be celebrated, Mominul's knock was of the highest order.

Century on Return to His Preferred Position

Mominul's century was even more special because he returned to his preferred batting position at number three in this Test. In the previous match in Chennai, he had been pushed down to number four and managed scores of 0 and 13.

Back at number three, Mominul proved why he is most comfortable in this role, showing patience and technique to anchor his side's innings. The fact he remained unbeaten on 107 of 194 deliveries and denied his wicket to the likes of Bumrah, R Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja speaks volumes about his performance.

Despite his undeniable talent, Mominul has often been pigeonholed as a red-ball specialist. His record of 11 consecutive Test fifties, the third-best in the world, is a testament to his ability to grind it out in the longest format. Ever since his debut against Sri Lanka in Galle in 2013, Mominul has consistently showcased his mettle in Test cricket, yet he remains overlooked for the white-ball formats.

Getting Typecast as Red-Ball Cricketer

Mominul last played an ODI in 2018, and despite his desire to represent Bangladesh in all three formats, the opportunity never materialized. "The desire to play all formats used to do something with his mind," a senior Bangladeshi journalist told MyKhel. "He tried hard in domestic cricket but never really got the chance. As a result, he began batting aggressively even in Tests to showcase his potential, but it didn't work in his favour."

With Bangladesh playing very few Test matches in the past, largely due to the country's emphasis on limited-overs formats, Mominul found himself sidelined from the white-ball arena. However, with the introduction of the World Test Championship (WTC), Bangladesh's Test calendar has grown more regular, allowing him to refocus on his strengths.

"He eventually came to terms with reality and began concentrating on what was in his control: his game," the journalist added. Since then, Mominul has turned his attention back to the red-ball format, determined to make the most of his opportunities.

Why Bangladesh Cricket Team need Mominul Haque more than ever?

With stalwarts like Shakib Al Hasan announcing their retirement and Mushfiqur Rahim nearing the twilight of his career, Mominul's role in the Bangladesh Test team is set to grow even further. As the senior-most member of the squad, his wealth of experience will be crucial in nurturing the younger generation of Bangladesh cricketers. Newly appointed captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, in particular, will benefit from Mominul's presence in the dressing room as he takes on the challenge of leading Bangladesh.

Despite his many accomplishments, Mominul still has areas for improvement, particularly in away Tests. While his batting average at home is an impressive 48.57, it drops to 27.30 in overseas conditions. As Bangladesh's Test fixtures increase, improving this away average will be a key challenge for Mominul in the years ahead.

As Bangladesh transitions into a new era of Test cricket, Mominul Haque remains an integral figure in the squad. His century in Kanpur was not just a personal milestone but a reminder of the class and resilience he brings to the game. Bangladesh will continue to rely on him as they look to build a competitive Test team on the international stage.

For Mominul, who turned 33 on September 29, there's still much to achieve. While the dream of playing white-ball cricket may have eluded him, his contributions to Bangladesh in the red-ball format are undeniable. With time still on his side, Mominul's story in Test cricket is far from over. His century in Kanpur is just the latest chapter in a remarkable career that continues to inspire future generations of Bangladeshi cricketers.