Out front for Bangladesh, Najmul Hossain Shanto set the pace when play began against Pakistan in Dhaka. When quick wickets fell, tension crept into the home side’s innings – then their skipper stepped up. Instead of folding, he built his knock steadily, reaching three figures to steady things down. Alongside him, Mominul Haque held firm, pushing close to a hundred until Noman Ali found a way through. With patience and timing, the pair turned what looked shaky into something stronger.
Out of step with time, yet inside the numbers, Shanto carved his name where few have gone before. Not only did he edge past Mushfiqur Rahim, but he redefined what leading means here. Once untouchable, the wicketkeeper’s tally stood at four hundreds – solid, sure, but no longer on top. Now breathing fresh air, Shanto sits with five, each one quieter than loud. Close behind, without flash, Mominul holds steady at three
Bangladesh steadies after 170-run stand
Out of nowhere, Shanto and Momimul took charge once Joy fell for eight and Shadman made thirteen. With quiet persistence, they built a 170-run stand that slowly drained Pakistan’s bowlers. While the start had faltered, their calm presence brought balance back to Bangladesh’s innings. Only then did the scoreboard begin reflecting steady progress.
Mominal almost reached triple figures, yet his knock along with the stand gave Bangladesh some flow. Freedom found Shanto through that effort. Once both were gone, Mushfiqur stepped in beside Litton Das, resuming the charge – 301 for 4 now on the board – a solid stance built before the next morning’s play.
Still at the crease, Mushfiqur closed the day not out on 48, facing 104 balls. Beside him, Litton stood firm on 8 from 35 deliveries. Six wickets remain in hand. Pushing forward tomorrow, Bangladesh aims to bat long, chasing a first-innings score past 450.
Bangladesh Squad Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto with Mahmudul Hasan Joy Shadman Islam Mominul Haque Mushfiqur Rahim Litton Das Mehidy Hasan Miraz Taijul Islam Taskin Ahmed Nahid Rana Ebadot Hossain
Pakistan Squad Shan Masood Captain Imam ul Haq Azan Awais Abdullah Fazal Saud Shakeel Mohammad Rizwan Salman Agha Shaheen Afridi Noman Ali Hasan Ali Mohammad Abbas
