Tamim Iqbal Brings Up His 10th Century in Test Cricket

Bangladesh stalwart Tamim Iqbal brought up his 10th Test ton following Lunch on the third day of their first Test against Sri Lanka at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram today. 

Tamim, who moved on to 99 with a sweetly-timed pull off the backfoot for a boundary through the square leg, got to the three-figure mark off 162 deliveries with a single to Asitha Fernando down the leg side.

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This is also Tamim's first century in 16 innings. The left-hander had scored in the 90s twice, thrice in the 70s, and a fifty during this time but was unable to get to the three-figure mark. His last century in the format, a 128-ball 126, was against New Zealand in Hamilton in 2019.  

Aside from surviving a dropped catch early on in Bangladesh's innings yesterday, Tamim has played flawlessly since the beginning of the play today. The opener has played more aggressively in the middle, smashing a total of 12 boundaries on way to his century. With 10 centuries in Tests, Tamim has also moved close to catching Mominul Haque, who leads the chart for most centuries by a Bangladeshi in Tests with 11 Test tons to his name.

The opener will now be eyeing another landmark score as he is approaching 5000 Test runs. Tamim, unbeaten on 100, is only 52 runs away from the feat and is also ahead in the race to beat Mushfiqur Rahim, who also happens to be just 68 runs away from the feat with 4932 runs in Tests. 

However, opener Mahmudul Hasan, who looked a bit shaky and was also dropped on 55 before lunch, could not capitalize on the opportunity as the young right-hander departed to an Asitha Fernando right after the break. 

Joy nicked a ball going down the leg side and was caught behind. His wicket ended a 162-run opening stand for Bangladesh.