Shanto Scores Century: Tigers in command against Pakistan Cricket team
A superb century by Najmul Hossain Shanto powered Bangladesh Cricket team to take the command on the first day of the first Test cricket match making 301 for the loss of four wickets against Pakistan Cricket team at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the capital’s Mirpur on Friday. Shanto hit a captain’s knock of 101. His 130-ball innings was laced with 12 fours and two sixes.
It was Shanto’s ninth Test century.
Experienced Mominul Haque deprived from a century for just nine runs. He knocked a sedate 91.
His 200-ball innings was belted with 10 fours. Mominul reached the fifty-run land-mark using 102 deliveries with six fours. It was Mominul Haque’s 26th half-century in Test cricket.
The Tigers had a sorrow start as opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy (8) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan off Shaheen Shah Afridi when Bangladesh’s score was 18.
After Joy’s dismissal, Shadman Islam , the other opener (13) of the home side was caught at the slip by Salman Agha off Hasan Ali when Bangladesh’s score was 31 for the loss of two wickets.
After Shadman’s departure, Mominul Haque and Najmul Hossain Shanto rescued their team from debacle contributing together 170 runs for the third wicket partnership before Najmul Hossain Shanto was trapped leg before wicket by Mohammad Abbas when Bangladesh’s total was 201 for the loss of three wickets.
After Shanto’s dismissal, Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim built another notable partnership scoring together 75 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Mominul Haque was trapped leg before wicket by Noman Ali when the hosts’ score was 276 for the loss of four wickets.
After Mominul Haque’s departure, Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das put on together 25 runs in the unbroken fifth wicket stand before the two umpires pocketed the bails for the opening day.
Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten with 48 runs. He hit six fours in his 104-ball innings before the first day play came to an end.
Litton Das remained unbeaten with eight runs.
Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Noman Ali got one wicket each conceding 51, 54, 67 and 80 runs respectively.
