Mominul full of praises for Tamim and Taskin

Bangladesh Test captain Mominul Haque came in praise of effort put by opener Tamim Iqbal and pacer Taskin Ahmed in the drawn first Test against Sri Lanka at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The first match of the two-match series ended on a tame draw as batsmen from both sides had run feast on a flat wicket.

However, the visitors felt slight anxiety when they lost two early wickets in their second innings on the second session of final day. Hosts Sri Lanka declared during lunch on 648 with a 107-run first innings lead before Bangladesh lost opener Saif Hassan and first innings centurion for one and duck respectively to create some tension. But, experience Tamim Iqbal took an aggressive measure to wipe out any fear and in the end ensured a draw with his skipper Mominul

Tamim, who scored 90 off 101-ball in the first innings, remained not out on 74 off 98 when the rain ended the match prematurely during Tea time when Bangladesh were on 100-2 and ensured safety. The experienced southpaw must felt satisfied to guide his side to a draw but he might also rue for missing a century due to inclement weather.

But Mominul was brimming with praises. 

 “In terms of our batting, our tone was set by Tamim bhai. His 90 runs innings was crucial for us. (Najmul Hossain) Shanto was outstanding (for his 163 in the first innings). I am happy that we have been able to put up performance as a unit. Liton (Das), Mushfiqur (Rahim) bhai all batted well,” said Mominul at the post-match virtual press conference on Sunday.

@BCBtigers' hopes of a rare win in Test has been cut short by hosts @OfficialSLC as the home side after day four of the ongoing Test at Pallakele International Cricket Stadium Saturday finished wicketless.https://t.co/31kl43EjA4

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) April 24, 2021

There is agreement over Tamim’s approach in the game. The opener was in attack of the opposition bowlers in both the innings scoring at high strike rate, fashion questionable in Test cricket. Mominul however backed his senior batsman and said, “He (Tamim) has always been this kind of a batsman, from a very young age. It is his style of play. My kind of play is different. He likes to play shots.”

 “Today I have 11 Test centuries under my name but I think I wouldn’t have scored even five (centuries) if I had tried to play like him. Style of play and plan varies from person to person,” said Mominul who picked his first away Test century with 127 runs in the first innings.

A dead wicket at Pallekele saw Bangladesh bowlers left frustrated. When Sri Lanka went to bat on day three, Bangladesh bowlers got to remove three wickets reeling Sri Lanka on 229. But the success was marred on the next day as the visitors remained wicket-less and saw Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratene and Dhananjaya de Silva pull up a record partnership and take Sri Lanka to 512 runs with any further damage. Going into the final day, the Bangaldesh bowlers picked their first wicket in almost 91 overs and finish with eight scalps before Sri Lanka declared the innings on 648.

Resuming the suspended Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League season 2020-21 will be tough due to the recent upsurge of Covid-19 cases in the country, said @BCBtigers president Nazmul Hasan.https://t.co/HCFJjNLtW1

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) April 24, 2021

Right-arm pacer Taskin, playing his sixth Test and the first since 2017, picked three wickets in the game, including those of Karunarate and Dhananjaya in consecutive overs on day five. The 30 overs delivered by Taskin in the game perhaps caught attention for his intent despite the condition being absolutely unfavorable for fast bowlers. 

“I enjoyed Taskin’s bowling. The way he played never looked he is playing his sixth game in the format. He worked very hard in past one and half year and this is simply the result of that. He made a lot of effort and came in use of the team whenever he was needed. It is very difficult to bowl for so long in such condition. I am really happy for him,” said Mominul.

Bangladesh will face Sri Lanka in the second Test of the series at the same venue from Thursday.