Published on 03:17 PM, June 16, 2023

Mominul ends century drought as Tigers set Afghans 662-run target

Mominul Haque raises his bat after reaching his 12th Test century. Photo: FIROZ AHMED

Former Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque ended a prolonged lean patch with his 12th Test century as Bangladesh set Afghanistan a mammoth target of 662 runs for victory in the one-off Test in Mirpur on Friday.

Mominul scored 121 not out off 145 deliveries while Liton Das stayed unbeaten on 66 as Bangladesh posted 425 for four in 80 overs before declaring in their second innings. Bangladesh had scored 382 in their first while Afghanistan were bowled out for 146 in reply.

Mominul went more than two years without getting a Test century, having scored 11 hundreds in the first eight years of his Test career. His previous century had come in April, 2021 against Sri Lanka in Pallekele. The diminutive batsman had gone 13 Tests and 26 innings without getting to the three-figure mark. 

However, he ended that lean patch in style, bringing up his 12th ton in his 105th innings, the century coming off 123 deliveries.