Dhaka – After making a brilliant comeback with a century in the 2nd innings, Mominul Haque guided hosts Bangladesh to settle for a draw in the 2nd test against touring Sri Lanka on the 5th and final of the two-match test series at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Saturday.
With the day’s appropriate and passionate batting in the final day of the 2nd test, the Bengal Tiger scored 271 for 3 in 84.4 overs when two captains agreed for a draw more than one hour before the regulation time, soon after Momimul Haque completed his 3rd century in his 7th test match.The 22 years old left handed batsman from Cox’s Bazar, scored his maiden century making 181 runs against New Zealand in Chittagong and he again made his 2nd ton with 126 runs against the same team in Dhaka in October last year.
Despite the day’s draw, Sri Lanka won the two-match test series 1-0 after beating hosts Bangladesh by innings and 248 runs in Dhaka.
Earlier, Bangladesh resumed their second innings on the fifth and final day (Saturday) with overnight total 12 runs for no loss to chase a mammoth target of 455 runs and settled for a draw scoring 271 runs for 3 in 84.4 overs when bails were draw for the last day.
Night watch batsman Tamim Iqbal (7) contributed 31 runs off 102 balls featuring five fours while another night watch batsman Shamsur Rahman (4) scored a useful 45 runs off 98 balls hitting six fours.
Imrul Kayes made 25 runs off 66 balls with three boundaries.
Two down Mominul Haque hammered an unconquered 100 runs off 167 deliveries featuring eleven fours to guide the team for a draw while former national captain Shakib Al Hasan also played a vital role giving a good support to Mominul Haque.
World famed all rounder Shakib Al Hasan contributed an uneaten 43 runs off 88 balls featuring five boundaries.
Dilruwan Perera took two wickets Imrul Kayes and Shamsur Rahman conceding 55 runs while Kithuruwan Vithanage took one wicket for 73 runs.
Earlier in the first innings, Bangladesh scored 426 runs for all ib 119.5 overs featuring two centuries by Imrul Kayes (115) and Shamsur Rahman (106).
Ajantha Mendis grabbed six wickets for 99 runs.
In reply, Sri Lanka hammered a polished innings of 587 runs in the first innings featuring Kumar Sangakkara’s maiden triple century with career best 319 runs.
In the 2nd innings, Sri Lanka declared the innings scoring 305 for 4 with Kumar Sangakkara scored a back to back century to emerge as the 2nd test cricketer to make a triple century and a century in two innings of a test match after Graham Gooch of England.
With the feat, Kumar Sangakkara was adjudged the man of the match and man of the series.
Brief Score: Bangladesh First Innings:426 for all out in 119.5 overs, Shamsur Rahman 106, Imrul Kayes 115, Shakib Al Hasan 50, Nasir Hossain 42, Ajantha Mendis 6/99, Dilruwan Perera 3/119.
2nd innings: 271 for 3 in 84. 4 overs, Mominul Haque 100, Shamsur Rahman 45, Shakib Al Hasan notout 43, Dilruwan Perera 2/55.
Sri Lanka First Innings: 587 for all wickets in 156.4 overs; Kumar Sangakkara 319, Mahela Jayawardene 72, Ajantha Mendis 47, Shakib Al 5/148, Nasir Hossain 2/16.
Sri Lanka 2nd Innings: 305 for 4 wickets (Declared) in 75.5 overs, Kumar Sangakkara 105, Dinesh Chandimal not out 100, Angelo Mathews not out 43, Mahmudullah 2/46. – UNB
