Bangladesh fervor draws second Test

Haque’s ton steers hosts’ batting; Sri Lanka win series 1-0.

CHITTAGONG:

Mominul Haque hit an unbeaten century to steer Bangladesh to a draw in the second and final Test against Sri Lanka in Chittagong on Saturday, leaving the tourists with a 1-0 series win.

Bangladesh, who needed to bat out their second-innings after being set an improbable victory target of 467, were 271 for three when stumps were drawn on the fifth day at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium.

Mominul held the innings together till both sides accepted the draw as soon as he reached 100, his third Test hundred, in the post-tea session.

Shakib Al Hasan returned unbeaten on 43 as he and Mominul added 120 for the fourth wicket after Bangladesh were 151 for three before tea.

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim said he was delighted with the draw and hoped the momentum gained by his side will spill over to the limited-overs contests.

“Such a performance was badly needed,” he said. “The boys stuck to the task and delivered.

“We may have lost the series but I am very happy at the way the team applied themselves. I hope we can carry this momentum into the one-day and Twenty20 series.”

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews said it was difficult to force a win on the slow pitch.

“Bangladesh batted well and really improved from the last game, but I think we could play another Test on this wicket right now,” he said.

Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara was declared both the man of the match and the player of the series.

“I think the wicket was pretty good to bat on, and my job was to score as many runs for the side as I could,” said the veteran, who made 319 in the first innings and 105 in the second.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 9^th, 2014.

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