As solid as Mominul

Diminutive, dogged, stylish and solid, Mominul Haque has established himself as the rock of Bangladesh's top order in test matches, having played only thirteen games in his budding career.

Slight of built but not of talent, Mominul made the test arena his own from his debut against Sri Lanka on March 8, 2013 at Galle. He scored a half century and ended up scoring 156 runs in 3 innings at an impressive average of 52.00 in his maiden test series.

Passing out from BKSP, Mominul made his first-class debut in the 2008-09 season for Dhaka Division and quickly became recognized for the ability to manage his innings. Technically sound, Mominul's concentration and temperament at the crease made him an extremely difficult batsman to dismiss, especially on the low and slow pitches in Bangladesh.

Mominul's performance on the domestic circuit catapulted him to the Under-19 World Cup squad in 2010, and in the next year, the National Cricket Academy called him as their 2011 graduate. When he was picked in the Bangladesh A team's tour to the West Indies, he vindicated the selectors' decision by scoring 150 in the opening game of that tour in 2011.

Mominul's temperament is more suited to the longest format of cricket, as he is watchful to begin with and gradually opens up his repertoire of shots especially on the off-side once he gets his eyes in. The fact that he puts a big price on his wicket and is willing to take on challenges head-on makes him an ideal foil to the flashy openers in the Bangladesh's batting line up.

Mominul Haque celebrates his maiden century, Bangladesh v New Zealand, 1st Test, Chittagong, 3rd day, October 11, 2013. Photo: AP

Mominul scored his maiden hundred in the Test match against New Zealand in Chittagong in 2013 off just 100 balls. When he was finally dismissed by Corey Anderson, he had 181 runs to his name (his highest test score), and entertained the home crowd with 27 beautiful boundaries all around the park.

In the second match of the series at Mirpur, Mominul was unbeaten on 126 in the second innings. As of April 28 2015, he became only the seventh batsman in cricket history to score 50+ runs in 10 consecutive test matches.

Despite having played less than 15 test matches, Mominul currently holds the distinction of having the second highest test average in history with 61.85 runs, only second to the great Don Bradman.

Mominul Haque is overjoyed after his second Test ton, Bangladesh v New Zealand, 2nd Test, 4th day, Mirpur, October 24, 2013. Photo: AFP