Shanto hits century as Bangladesh reach 301-4 at stumps on 1st day of opening Test against Pakistan
Last updated: May 8, 2026 | 17:13
Mohammad Abbas (L) and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan (R) successfully appeals for LBW against Najmul Hossain Shanto (C) during the first Test match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Friday. AFP
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (L) tosses a coin as Pakistan captain Shan Masood (R) looks on during the toss before the start of the first day of the first Test cricket match between Bangladesh and Pakistan at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on May 8, 2026. (Photo by MUNIR UZ ZAMAN / AFP)
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto's century put Bangladesh in a strong position on the opening day of the first cricket Test against Pakistan on Friday.
Shanto made 101 off 130 balls, including 12 fours and two sixes, to steer Bangladesh to 301-4 at stumps.
Mominul Haque missed out his ton after being dismissed on 91.
Shanto and Mominul combined for a 170-run partnership for the third wicket to steady the innings after Bangladesh had slumped to 31-2 in 10.1 overs.
Pakistan captain Shan Masood won the toss and sent Bangladesh into bat first, a decision his pacers justified with disciplined bowling.
Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy survived an early chance on 6 but could not make it count, edging behind off Shaheen Shah Afridi for 8.
Fellow opener Shadman Islam also struggled against the movement before edging to first slip for 13.
Najmul Hossain Shanto and his Pakistani counterpart Shan Masood pose with the series trophy at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. AFP
Shanto and Mominul resisted with resolute batting to shift the momentum in Bangladesh’s favor. Shanto reached his ninth century off 129 balls by driving Abbas through extra-cover for a boundary. The hundred was also his fourth in the last nine innings.
Abbas, however, struck back on the next delivery to finally end the dominant partnership.
Mominul found support in veteran Mushfiqur Rahim to further drive the side, keeping the Pakistan bowlers frustrated. But left-arm spinner Noman Ali’s persistency paid off when he had Mominul leg-before with the batter nine runs away from his 14th century.
Mushfiqur, who was batting on 48, and Litton (4) took Bangladesh past 300 runs, capping off a successful day. The second test begins on May 16 in Sylhet in eastern Bangladesh.
