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MIRPUR: Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto’s century helped Bangladesh stay on top at the end of the second session of the first Test against Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Shanto played a commanding knock of 101 off 130 balls before he fell prey to Mohammad Abbas in the final over of the second session.
Bangladesh went to Tea with 201-3 on the board, courtesy of a dominant 170-run partnership between Shanto and Mominul Haque.
Mominul will resume his innings at 64 after Tea, while veteran wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim is yet to open his account.
Earlier in the first session, Bangladesh had scored 101-2 after they were invited to bat first, with captain Shanto unbeaten on 39 while Mominul remained steady on 31.
Pakistan skipper Shan Masood elected to field first, and the visitors made an encouraging start through Shaheen Shah Afridi, who removed opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy for eight with just 18 runs on the board.
The pressure intensified shortly after when Hasan Ali struck in his very first over, dismissing Shadman Islam for 13 to leave Bangladesh struggling at 31-2 in the morning session.
However, the hosts responded positively through a composed rebuilding effort from Shanto and Mominul.
The experienced pair absorbed the early pressure before gradually shifting momentum back in Bangladesh’s favour with a patient and unbeaten 70-run stand for the third wicket at the end of the first session.
Playing XIs
Bangladesh: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto(c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das(w), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana and Ebadot Hossain.
Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Azan Awais, Abdullah Fazal, Shan Masood(c), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan(w), Salman Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Noman Ali, Hasan Ali and Mohammad Abbas.
