Mominul Haque hit an unbeaten century to steer Bangladesh to a draw in the second and final Test against Sri Lanka in Chittagong yesterday, leaving the tourists with a 1-0 series win.
Bangladesh, who needed to bat out their second innings after being set an improbable victory target of 467, were 271-3 when stumps were drawn on the fifth day at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
Mominul, a 22-year-old left-hander, held the innings together till both sides accepted the draw as soon as he reached 100, his third Test hundred, in the post-tea session.
Shakib al-Hasan returned unbeaten on 43 as he and Mominul added 120 for the fourth wicket after Bangladesh were 151-3 before tea.
Sri Lanka, who won the first Test by an innings and 248 runs in Dhaka last week, failed to dislodge the hosts, who appeared determined to salvage their battered reputation.
It was only the second draw in 16 Tests between the two countries, with Sri Lanka having won the other 14 matches, eight of them by an innings margin.
Bangladesh, who languish at the bottom of the Test rankings at No. 10, have lost 68 of their 83 Tests since gaining full status in 2000, winning just four.
The hosts, who began the day at 12-0, lost two wickets in a tense morning session to go to lunch at 91-2.
Tamim Iqbal and Shamsur Rahman put on 71 for the first wicket, before both openers fell in the space of 10 runs.
Tamim made 31 when he was bowled by leg-spinner Kithuruwan Vithanage, who was bowling for the first time in his short four-Test career.
Rahman, a century-maker in the first innings, looked in fine touch during his knock of 45 when he was bowled by off-spinner Dilruwan Perera.
Imrul Kayes, who also got a century in the previous innings, helped Mominul add 70 for the third wicket on either side of lunch before he was LBW to Perera for 25.
As Bangladesh batted out the draw, Sri Lanka missed spin spearhead Rangana Herath and seamer Shaminda Eranga, who both flew home before the Test to recuperate from injuries.
Perera was the most impressive bowler for the tourists, conceding just 55 runs in 28 steady overs for his two wickets.
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