Mominul Haque excels in the number three position, balancing aggressive play with a solid defense. The former Bangladesh skipper recently joined an elite group by becoming the third player from his country to achieve 5,000 Test runs. Despite this milestone, there is a growing expectation for him to convert his promising starts into larger scores, as he has missed out on capitalizing in his last five innings.
Since his unbeaten 107 in the Kanpur Test against India, Mominul has been more frequently batting at number three, occasionally swapping positions with Najmul Hossain Shanto at number four. He has utilized his experience to navigate challenging bowling attacks from this position but has struggled to convert his half-centuries into substantial innings, as recent performances indicate.
The role of the number three batsman is evolving, with many teams opting for more aggressive players in this position. Mominul, however, embodies a more traditional approach. On the other hand, Shanto has been a consistent performer at number three, boasting five centuries in 26 matches. Together, they form a formidable partnership for Bangladesh, as demonstrated during their recent match against Pakistan.
Following a significant 170-run partnership in the first innings, Mominul and Shanto once again combined for a 105-run stand in the second innings after the early dismissals of the openers. Despite facing a challenging bowling attack, Mominul absorbed pressure while Shanto played more freely. Mominul reached his half-century and the 5,000-run milestone before falling to Shaheen Shah when he seemed well set.
However, a cause for concern is Mominul’s struggle to convert his starts into big scores in his recent outings. In his last five innings, he has scored 82, 63, 87, 91, and 56, showcasing a conversion rate of 34.2%. This decline in conversion rate, from 47.6% when he scored his 10th Test century in February 2021, suggests a lack of focus once he settles in at the crease.
Batting coach Mohammad Ashraful believes that Mominul needs to rediscover his ability to score big hundreds consistently, especially with significant milestones on the horizon. Ashraful is confident that Mominul, who is nearing 100 Test matches, has the potential to make a substantial impact for Bangladesh.
While Mominul has proven to be a resilient batsman, frustrating opposing bowlers, it is essential for him to address his conversion rate concerns for Bangladesh to make the most of the ongoing WTC cycle.
