A rising star on Bangladeshi cricket horizon

Mominul Haque – a rising star of Bangladeshi cricket horizon was born in Cox’s Bazar – Bangladesh’s most popular tourist resort known for its unbroken 125 kilometer sandy beach with a gentle slope. His high quality inning in the first Test against New Zealand has proved that he can bat a long uninterrupted knock too. His marvelous 181 off only 274 balls in Chittagong Test started in a critical situation at 8 for 2. Not bogged down by precarious situation, the talented young left-hander cracked 27 fours and pulled his team out of troubled waters to apparent safe shores. 

Only 12 days past his 22^nd birthday, Mominul Haq was playing his career’s fourth Test match. A prodigy of National Cricket Academy and junior national teams, he made Test debut against Sri Lanka at Galle earlier this year in March. This was a high scoring drawn Test as batsmen from both sides bathed in tons of runs. Sri Lankan batsmen hit two centuries in either innings with Kumar Sangakkara hitting a ton in each innings. Bangladesh replied Sri Lanka’s 570 for 4 declared with a mighty 638. Captain Mushfiqur Rahim scored 200 while Mohammad Ashraful smashed 190 – the top two highest individual innings for Bangladesh in Test cricket. Mushfiqur Rahim’s double century remains the only one for a Bangladeshi batsman in its history. Another century was hit by Nasir Hossain. Mominul Haque scored 55 in his maiden Test inning. Though he was not among centurions but his technique and temperament hinted that a new batting star has born.

After a tame draw, second Test match at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium was not a high scoring game. Bangladesh was bundled out for only 240 runs in first inning on the opening day of the match. Mominul Haque was the lone fighter in the inning as he defied spot-on Sri Lankan bowling for 140 minutes to score 64 runs. Kumar Sangakkara smashed another ton as Sri Lankans posted 346 runs on the board to take a lead of 106. Bangladeshi team couldn’t resist much and was bowled out for 265. Mominul Haque scored 37 in his two hours batting. Rangana Herath was the sole terminator in Bangladesh’s both innings and took 12 wickets in the match including Mominul Haque in either inning. Sri Lankans cruised to seven wicket victory with without any difficulty and took the rubber 1-0.

Next month Mominul Haque played another Test match against Zimbabwe at Harare. After missing first Test of the series, he was included in the second Test match. Although Mominul Haque made modest scores of 23 and 29 in the match, his team won the Test by 143 runs – one of Bangladesh’s only four Test victories.

In the first Test match against New Zealand at Chittagong – Bangladesh’s second biggest city situated 150 kilometers away from his hometown, Mominul Haque’s wonders started on second day of the match. New Zealand won the toss and without any hesitation chose to bat. New Zealand’s ninth wicket fell at 342 but last wicket hanged on and on. Finally 127 runs last wicket was broken by slow left-arm orthodox bowling of Mominul Haque. He dismissed New Zealand wicket keeper Bradley Watling who had completed his century – stumped by wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim. This wicket triggered a good time for Mominul Haque in the match. Bangladesh trailed by 469 runs at the start of their inning and lost both openers under pressure. Then walked-in small statured and teenage looking Mominul Haque who was to take control of the inning. He defied Kiwi bowling and scored at ease and by the time he got out; Bangladesh had averted the follow-on and was gradually consolidating its position. 

Mominul Haque is playing only his fourth Test match but has already proved his worth in the team. He has scored 389 runs so far at a towering batting average of 64.83 with the help of a century and two fifties. He has also represented Bangladesh in 9 One Day Internationals and 3 Twenty20 Internationals. 

Pakistani team is known for two Haques – Inzamam and Misbah. Can Bangladeshi Haque emulate his Pakistani namesakes? It seems that he will do that. His talent is already bubbling with remarkable confidence, good technique and cool temperament. One thing can be said for sure -- Mominul Haque is a rising star on Bangladesh’s cricket horizon.