Bangladesh batter Mominul Haque believes captain Najmul Hossain Shanto is in the best stretch of his Test career, crediting his aggressive intent and decision-making for a standout opening-day effort against Pakistan. Shanto struck 101, Mominul made 91, and the duo’s 170-run partnership for the third wicket—built off 257 deliveries—helped the hosts finish the day on a solid 301 for the loss of four wickets.
Shanto’s landmark day and the praise from Mominul
- Mominul said Shanto’s counterattacking approach was the key reason Pakistan were pushed back during the partnership.
- He added that on a wicket offering assistance, once a batter sets the tone with intent, the bowling side can get unsettled.
- Mominul described Shanto’s 101 as one of the finest innings he has seen from him, highlighting how the captain dominated from the start.
The Bangladesh skipper’s numbers have also drawn attention: Shanto has nine Test centuries in 73 innings, which is the joint-quickest such tally for Bangladesh alongside Mominul, though Mominul has registered more fifties in that span. His conversion rate became another talking point, with nine hundreds and five fifties combining into a remarkable 64.28%.
Mominul further focused on Shanto’s tactical mindset, saying the decision to come down the pitch was part of a deliberate plan to challenge Abbas. In his view, staying rooted at one point becomes difficult when the ball moves in both directions, and the captain’s approach helped prevent bowlers from settling.
He also reserved special praise for Shanto’s ambition and appetite to improve. Mominul suggested that when a leader has the hunger to perform and backs it with proper execution, performances like these follow—and that other players can take motivation from it.
Staying in rhythm and managing pressure
Mominul stressed that maintaining the same mental rhythm matters as much as technique. He warned against swinging into overconfidence or letting discouragement take over, arguing that consistent patterns at the crease make regular scoring possible.
Turning to his own batting, Mominul said he has been trying to understand why he has struggled to turn promising starts into a Test century. He has missed out on a 14th hundred for the third time in four innings, and he joked that his biggest worry was facing his wife at home after failing to reach the three-figure mark.
He explained that while he did not feel frustrated for a long time, there was a slight sense of frustration on the day—partly because he feared his wife might scold him. Mominul was nine runs short of his 14th hundred when he was trapped lbw by Noman Ali for 91.
According to Mominul, the ball “stayed low” and he realised there was less pressure from the run rate than he expected. He said his intention was to play normal cricket for the final stretch, but Pakistan were bowling well and he could not execute the way he had anticipated.
Why the centuries haven’t arrived—and how he tries to fix it
When asked about his conversion rate, Mominul responded that everyone wants centuries and that he tries to bat in the style he enjoys, staying focused on his routine rather than obsessing over the landmark score. He said a mental factor might be at play, suggesting that failing to reach a hundred after passing the fifties could become psychological even if the technical plan is intact.
He admitted he has not fully identified the reason yet, but added that he is working toward it. Mominul said that when he walks in, he does not think specifically about a century; instead, he aims to bat through at least five sessions. His belief is that if a batter can remain at the crease for that long, a score in the 100 to 150 range often follows—and he felt he may need to be stricter in that area.
To tackle the mental side of the game, Mominul said he stays in regular contact with former Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha. He also revealed that he spent time in Sydney in December 2025 playing club cricket for Bankstown District Cricket Club under Hathurusingha’s guidance, adding that they talk whenever he faces difficulties.
“Yes, we are in regular communication. If I face any trouble, we talk,” Mominul said, underlining how ongoing support and conversation are part of his effort to break the pattern of near-misses.
