In 2012, a boyish-looking Mominul Haque burst onto the
international cricket scene, stepping in for the legendary Shakib Al Hasan in
Bangladesh’s ODI lineup. His debut series showcased a rare blend of talent with
both bat and ball, hinting at a bright future. By the following year, Mominul
had already captured the imagination of cricketing pundits. His fluid wrists
during a Test match against Sri Lanka earned him accolades, and his
breathtaking century against New Zealand that same year solidified his
reputation as a “pocket-sized dynamo.”
While Mominul became a mainstay at number three in Test
cricket, his fortunes in the shorter formats have dwindled alarmingly. Once
seen as a promising all-format player, he now finds himself at a crossroads,
with his ODI career reduced to a frustrating series of unfulfilled
potential.
A Decline in
Numbers
Mominul’s recent performances in ODIs paint a dismal
picture. His last five outings yielded scores of 5, 9, 1, 3, and 15, averaging
just 7 runs per innings in 2024. Shockingly, this is an improvement over his
2015 average of 2. For a player of his calibre, such statistics are not only
disappointing but also baffling.
What went wrong for a
batsman so gifted?
The Format
Conundrum
One possible explanation lies in Mominul’s inability to
adapt his technique and approach to the distinct demands of ODI cricket. In
Tests, he thrives on patience, building his innings methodically while relying
on boundaries to accumulate runs. However, the limited-overs format demands
quicker decision-making, adaptability, and a more nuanced approach to strike
rotation—qualities Mominul has struggled to exhibit.
Unlike Test cricket, where time is a luxury, ODIs require
batsmen to strike a delicate balance between aggression and consolidation.
Mominul’s reliance on boundaries, rather than manoeuvring the ball into gaps
and rotating the strike, creates unnecessary pressure. When boundaries dry up,
he often resorts to rash strokes, leading to his downfall.
The Numbers Behind
the Struggle
A deeper look at his dismissals reveals telling patterns. In
44% of his ODI innings, Mominul has been caught by fielders, and 20% of the
time, he has been caught behind. These figures highlight two critical
issues:
1. Lack of Confidence:
The high percentage of caught dismissals reflects a batsman throwing away his
wicket due to a lack of conviction in his shot selection.
2. Technical
Vulnerabilities: In ODIs, the absence of a consistent slip cordon often
lures Mominul into playing with an angled bat outside off-stump, a habit he
successfully curbs in Test cricket.
Lessons from the
Greats
Mominul’s predicament is not unique. Legendary ODI batsmen
like Michael Bevan and Michael Hussey built their reputations not on brute
force but on their ability to rotate strike and build innings under pressure.
Closer to home, Mahmudullah Riyad and Mushfiqur Rahim have mastered this art,
combining calculated aggression with strategic accumulation.
The mantra for success in ODIs lies in adaptation. It’s not
about clearing the boundary ropes from the outset but about earning the right
to accelerate later. This requires an understanding of field placements,
timing, and the ability to manipulate bowlers—skills Mominul possesses but has
yet to consistently apply.
The Way Forward
Mominul must rediscover the essence of his batting. His
strength lies in his pristine timing rather than sheer power. He can pierce gaps and accumulate boundaries with elegance, a skill that
can yield dividends if paired with a more calculated approach.
To rebuild his ODI career, Mominul needs to:
1. Focus on Strike
Rotation: Develop the habit of finding singles and twos early in his
innings to ease the pressure.
2. Temper Aggression
with Patience: Avoid the temptation to dominate bowlers prematurely and
instead build confidence through time at the crease.
3. Refine Technique:
Address his vulnerability outside off-stump by adopting a more compact stance
and straightening his bat angle.
Conclusion
Mominul Haque remains one of Bangladesh’s most talented
batsmen, but his ODI career hangs in the balance. The qualities that make him a
Test cricket stalwart—timing, temperament, and touch—are assets that can also
shine in ODIs if he adapts his mindset and approach.
The road to revival may not be easy, but for a batsman once hailed as a pocket-sized dynamo, the potential for resurgence is undeniable. With the right adjustments and a renewed sense of purpose, Mominul can transform from an enigma to an enduring force in Bangladesh’s ODI lineup.
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