By Alam Zeb Safi
DHAKA: Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto struck a commanding century to power Bangladesh to 301 for four at stumps on the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Friday.
Shanto played the role of the aggressor, smashing 101 off 130 balls, while Mominul Haque anchored the innings with a patient 91. The pair shared a pivotal 170-run partnership for the third wicket to rescue the hosts from early jitters after Pakistan had elected to field.
Choosing to bowl first, Pakistan’s pace attack found immediate reward on a fresh Mirpur surface, having grass on it. Shaheen Shah Afridi removed Mahmudul Hasan Joy (8) in the seventh over, and Hasan Ali followed up by dismissing Shadman Islam (13), leaving Bangladesh reeling at 31-2.
However, Shanto shifted the momentum dramatically. He took the attack to the Pakistan bowlers, hitting 12 boundaries and two towering sixes to reach his ninth century of his Test career. Mominul provided the perfect foil, grinding down the opposition with a 200-ball vigil.
Pakistan fought back late in the day. Mohammad Abbas eventually broke the marathon stand, trapping Shanto leg-before following a successful DRS review just after the captain had reached his hundred. Mominul looked destined to join him with a ton of his own until Noman Ali outfoxed him for 91.
Mushfiqur Rahim (48 not out) and Litton Das (8 not out) ensured there were no further casualties before the close, building a steady unbeaten 25-run stand to cap off a dominant day for the home side.
Scorecard: Bangladesh vs Pakistan, 1st Test
Day 1 of 5:
Bangladesh 1st Innings
Mahmudul Hasan Joy c †Mohammad Rizwan b Shaheen Shah Afridi 8 (19b)
Shadman Islam c Salman Agha b Hasan Ali 13 (30b)
Mominul Haque lbw b Noman Ali 91 (200b)
Najmul Hossain Shanto (c) lbw b Mohammad Abbas 101 (130b)
Mushfiqur Rahim not out 48 (104b)
Litton Das † not out 8 (35b)
Extras: (b 16, lb 8, nb 8) 32
Total: (85 Overs) 301/4
Fall of Wickets: 1-18 (Joy, 6.1 ov), 2-31 (Islam, 10.1 ov), 3-201 (Shanto, 52.2 ov), 4-276 (Mominul, 73.3 ov)
Bowling
Shaheen Shah Afridi: 19-5-67-1
Mohammad Abbas: 22-7-51-1
Hasan Ali: 18-3-54-1
Salman Agha: 6-0-25-0
Noman Ali: 20-0-80-1
