MOMINUL HITS TWIN TON TO GUIDE TIGERS TO DRAW CHITTAGONG TEST

Bangladeshi cricketer Mominul Haque reacts after scoring a century during the fifth and final day of the first Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on February 4, 2018. — BCB photo

A 180-run stand between Mominul Haque and Liton Das stalled Sri Lanka's advance, and helped Bangladesh secure a draw in the Chittagong Test. 

In the course of that stand, Mominul became the first Bangladesh batsman to hit two centuries in the same Test and took his match aggregate to 281 runs. Liton got to within sight of a maiden ton but was dismissed for 94. Mominul struck 105 off 174 balls to go with his 176 in the first innings, helping Bangladesh reach 307-5 before the two teams accepted the draw.

The first Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka ended in a draw as both captains agree to shake hands with only an hour remaining till stumps on Day 5.

Mominul and Liton Das took the excitement out of the game with 180-run in their fourth wicket stand.

Dhananjaya de Silva broke the stand when he dismissed Mominul shortly after the left-hander brought his second century of the game with a single off Lakshan Sandakan.

Dimuth Karunaratne took the catch at slip to bring the curtains down to a superb innings, featuring five fours and two sixes.

Mominul at 89 got a feather touch on a Rangana Herath delivery that kept low, but wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella failed to grab the catch.

Liton made lavish attempt for a six to complete his century, which brought his downfall on the other end. 

Dilruwan Perera took a fine catch off Herath as Liton departed for 94 off 182 balls with 11 fours.

Sri Lanka reviewed a caught behind appeal against Mossaddek after the dismissal, but replay showed no edge.

Skipper Mahmudullah averted further danger as guided Bangladesh towards complete safety with 28 not out.

Mosaddek was accompanying him with eight not out when the draw came.

Sri Lanka held a 200-run first innings lead after posting a mammoth 713 for 9 declared in reply to Bangladesh's 513.

They were hoping to carry their momentum to the final day after picking up a wicket off the last ball on Saturday when Rangana Herath removed Mushfiqur Rahim.

Mominul, 18 not out overnight, batted confidence hitting a six straight over the head of left-arm spinner Herath in the fifth over.

Lahiru Kumara struck him on the helmet with a short ball, but Mominul stood back to score a single in the next ball, becoming the highest single run-getter for Bangladesh in a Test match. 

Mominul, who reached 56 with that single, overtook Tamim Iqbal’s 231 runs against Pakistan at Khulna in 2015.