Tamim Iqbal's maiden Test century in his hometown yesterday gave the spectators hope for a first Test match win at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. Though Tamim had previously scored five centuries in Tests, none of them came at his local ground. His previous best Test score here was 86 against England in 2010. Beside that he scored two half-centuries in the port city -- against India in 2010 and against West Indies the following year.

The other innings in the nine Tests he played in Chittagong were unimpressive. Still, the opening batsman has always enjoyed strong support here, in spite of all his not-so-impressive performances. Yesterday was also like any other day as fans from different areas came to support the Tigers, especially their local hero Tamim.

Jubair Hossain, a student and an ardent fan of the left-hander, came all the way from Chandanaish upazila to support Tamim.

"I like the way he bats. His aggressive style brings excitement to the fans whenever he is on the pitch, be it a one-dayer or a Test."

The fans' desire materialised yesterday as Tamim scored his maiden century at his home ground in his tenth Test here -- he has played 36 matches since his debut against New Zealand in 2008.

Rubel Das, a young cricketer from Halishahar, who watched the match from the stands said, "Though both the centuries were good, Tamim's one was special. He fluently scored runs with his aggressive style of playing."

Saiful Islam, a resident of Kazir Dewrey, the neighbourhood from where Tamim hails said, "We were waiting for Tamim's century in Chittagong for a long time. Thankfully we have got it today."

While the long wait of supporters for a century from him was fulfilled yesterday, spectators are now awaiting the Tigers' first Test match win at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

Mahmud Hasan, a master's student of the Government Commerce College, said he watched almost every Test match Bangladesh played in Chittagong from inside the stadium since 2006, but he is yet to witness a win at this ground.

Though Bangladesh's first Test match win came in Chittagong in 2005, it was at another venue -- the MA Aziz Stadium. Since Test matches started at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in 2006, Bangladesh played a total of twelve Tests before yesterday's game. Of those, the Tigers drew four while lost the remaining eight.

Now Mahmud as well as all others are hoping that this trend will come to an end.