Former Bangladesh Test captain Mominul Haque believes a target around 300 would give his side a crucial edge as their gripping Test match continues to hang in the balance. Speaking at stumps, with the game finely poised, Mominul underlined the importance of batting long and building partnerships, especially with the tailenders capable of contributing valuable runs.
“It’ll be very good if we can set a target of 300,” Mominul said. “270-280 isn’t bad either. But we will be in a strong position if the target is around 300.”
With Najmul Hossain Shanto and Jaker Ali still at the crease, Mominul expressed confidence that Bangladesh could push on. He also highlighted the potential contribution from the lower order, including Taijul Islam and Hasan Mahmud, as an encouraging sign.
Despite the optimism, he acknowledged the match remained finely poised.
“Obviously the game is still in the balance,” he added. “There will be time tomorrow morning, when the batting is tough. In those crunch moments, we will have to bat carefully. We will have to bat long.”
Reflecting on his own performance, Mominul was candid about falling short of his expectations as a senior player.
“I don’t think about making a hundred. Rather I think about how to bat for four to five sessions. But I was able to play like one session,” he admitted. “As a senior cricketer, this was not expected.”
He was also quick to clarify that while tailenders adding runs was a bonus, the onus was on top and middle-order batters to take charge.
“If the likes of me, Mushfiq bhai or Shanto scores, and then the tailenders add 50 runs, that will win the match for us. That doesn’t mean we are dependent on tailenders’ batting.”
The left-hander also offered a nuanced take on batting dismissals, especially in the face of awkward bounce.
“There’s a difference between extra bounce and a short ball. The bowler is almost seven feet tall and can extract extra bounce. Most of the time the batter doesn’t have much to do with this type of delivery,” he said.
As the Test Championship cycle begins anew, Mominul dismissed suggestions that Bangladesh had taken Zimbabwe lightly, insisting that the match preparation was sincere and competitive.
“When you play international cricket, no one takes any opposition lightly. Rather I think it’s an opportunity for us,” he said.
He also voiced strong support for Mushfiqur Rahim amid questions over the veteran’s form.
“I am not worried for him. He has been playing international cricket for a long time and he knows how to make a comeback. His achievements won’t be forgotten soon.”