Tag: BAN vs PAK

MIRPUR: Najmul Hossain Shanto produced another composed innings under pressure as Bangladesh tightened their grip on the opening Test against Pakistan before bad light forced an early end to Day Four at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Monday.

The hosts finished the day at 152-3 in their second innings, stretching their overall lead to 179 runs with one day remaining in the contest.

Bangladesh captain Shanto remained unbeaten on 58 at stumps, while veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim was accompanying him on 16 after the pair safely negotiated the closing stages.

The day, however, was heavily disrupted by weather as persistent rain wiped out the entire second session after Lunch.

Play had resumed briefly in the third session, where Bangladesh continued to frustrate Pakistan through the experienced duo of Shanto and Mominul Haque.

The pair extended their third-wicket stand to 105 runs, and both completed well-crafted half-centuries to put Bangladesh firmly in control.

Pakistan eventually found a breakthrough, thanks to Shaheen Shah Afridi, who dismissed Mominul for a patient 56 off 120 deliveries.

Following the dismissal, Mushfiqur joined his captain at the crease, and the duo ensured Bangladesh suffered no further damage before bad light ended proceedings early.

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Earlier, Bangladesh resumed their second innings on seven without loss with an overall lead of 34 runs after bowling Pakistan out for 386 on Day 3.

However, Pakistan struck twice early on Day 4 to put the hosts under pressure. Veteran pacer Mohammad Abbas provided the first breakthrough by dismissing overnight batter Mahmudul Hasan Joy for five.

Soon after, Hasan Ali removed opener Shadman Islam, who managed 10 runs, reducing Bangladesh to 23-2 early in the session.

With Pakistan threatening to seize control, Bangladesh captain Shanto and experienced batter Mominul once again combined to stabilise the innings.

The pair, who had earlier stitched together a crucial 170-run stand in the first innings, continued their impressive understanding at the crease with another composed partnership.

They added an unbeaten 70 runs for the third wicket to guide Bangladesh safely to Lunch without any further setbacks.

By Lunch, Bangladesh had recovered to 93-2, with Shanto unbeaten on 34 and Mominul batting on 37.

Rain then halted proceedings immediately after the interval, with the umpires eventually taking tea during the delay before play resumed later in the evening.

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MIRPUR: A record century from Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, ably backed by Mominul Haque’s half-century, left the home side in a commanding position against Pakistan at the end of day one of the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday.

At the end of the day’s play, the home side racked up 301 for the loss of four wickets in 85 overs, with Mushfiqur Rahim remaining unbeaten on 48 with the aid of six boundaries. On the other hand, Litton Das held firm, scoring eight not out off 35 deliveries.

After toiling hard, Pakistan bowlers tried to make a comeback in the final session as Noman Ali provided the much-needed breakthrough with Haque’s wicket. The left-arm spinner broke a 75-run partnership as Haque was trapped lbw for 91 in the 73rd off the innings. He hit 10 fours in his crafty knock.

After his dismissal, Mushfiqur and Das safely negotiated the remaining 12 overs, ensuring the hosts finish strong on the opening day of the series.

For Pakistan, Noman Ali remained the solitary wicket-taker in the session.

Earlier, Shanto fell in the final over of the second session after playing a commanding knock of 101 off 130 balls. This was also his fifth ton as skipper, the most by any Bangladesh captain.

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Bangladesh went to Tea with 201-3 on the board, courtesy of a dominant 170-run partnership between Shanto and Mominul Haque.

Mominul resumed his innings at 64 after Tea, while veteran wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim was yet to open his account.

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.

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