Najmul Hossain Shanto led from the front with a commanding century as Bangladesh national cricket team recovered from an early wobble to finish the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan national cricket team at 301 for 4 on Friday.
Playing at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Bangladesh found themselves under pressure early in the innings after losing two wickets for just 31 runs inside the first 11 overs. However, skipper Shanto produced a superb counter-attacking knock to shift the momentum firmly in the hosts’ favour.
The left-hander reached his ninth Test century in just 129 deliveries, striking 12 boundaries and two sixes during a fluent innings of 101 runs. His aggressive yet composed approach helped Bangladesh recover after the early setbacks and put Pakistan’s bowlers under sustained pressure.
Shanto shared a crucial 170-run partnership for the third wicket with Mominul Haque. The stand came off 257 balls and turned out to be Bangladesh’s highest third-wicket partnership against Pakistan in Test cricket, as well as their third-highest partnership overall against the visitors.
Mominul played a patient and technically sound innings but fell agonisingly short of a century. The experienced batter was trapped leg-before by spinner Noman Ali for 91 after looking set for a well-deserved hundred.
After Shanto’s dismissal to seamer Mohammad Abbas, veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das ensured there were no further setbacks late in the day.
Mushfiqur remained unbeaten on 48 off 104 balls, while Litton stayed not out on eight as Bangladesh safely negotiated the second new ball.
Earlier in the morning session, Pakistan struck twice to gain early control. Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy was dismissed for eight after edging Shaheen Shah Afridi behind. Joy had earlier survived a dropped catch when he was on four.
Soon after, Shadman Islam departed for 13 after being caught at slip off Hasan Ali.
Pakistan’s bowlers struggled for consistency in the hot and humid conditions, with the pitch offering limited assistance throughout the day. The visitors also leaked 32 extras, further helping Bangladesh build a strong first-innings total.
Speaking after the day’s play, Mominul praised his captain’s innings and described it as one of Shanto’s finest knocks.
“Shanto’s innings is one of the best I have seen from him. He is in outstanding form,” Mominul said.
“Even under a lot of pressure, he manages to score hundreds. Today as well, he made a century in very difficult conditions. He is in the best form of his life,” he added.
Despite the difficult day, Mohammad Abbas said Pakistan remained positive heading into the second day.
“I don’t think it was a frustrating day,” Abbas said.
“We did really hard work. The new ball is in our hand, so we will come tomorrow and take early wickets,” he added.