Shanto century leads Bangladesh to 301/4 on day one of Pakistan Test in Mirpur

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto scored his ninth Test century and Mominul Haque made a gritty 91 as the hosts finished day one of the first Test against Pakistan on 301 for 4 in 85 overs at Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Friday. Put in to bat, Bangladesh recovered from an early collapse to dominate all three sessions.

What happened on day one of the Bangladesh vs Pakistan 1st Test?

Bangladesh lost two early wickets to fall to 31 for 2 before Shanto and Mominul steadied the innings with a 170-run third-wicket partnership. Shanto scored 101 off 130 balls before being dismissed just before tea. Bangladesh scored over 100 runs in each session and finished the day firmly in control at 301 for 4.

How did Shanto and Mominul rebuild Bangladesh's innings against Pakistan?

Shaheen Afridi removed opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy for 8 off 19 balls to give Pakistan an early breakthrough. Hasan Ali followed up by dismissing Shadman Islam for 13, leaving Bangladesh under pressure at 31 for 2. Shanto and Mominul then came together and steadied the innings, taking Bangladesh to 101 for 2 at lunch.

Both batters reached their half-centuries during the second session. Shanto brought up his sixth Test fifty while Mominul recorded his 26th in Test cricket. Their partnership continued to grow after the break, frustrating Pakistan's bowling attack and allowing Bangladesh to accelerate comfortably.

Shanto eventually converted his half-century into his ninth Test hundred, scoring 101 off 130 deliveries with 12 boundaries and two sixes. Mohammad Abbas ended the 170-run stand by removing the Bangladesh captain just before tea, with the hosts placed at 201 for 3 after 52.2 overs.

How did Bangladesh close out day one against Pakistan in Mirpur?

Mushfiqur Rahim joined Mominul in the final session and the pair added a 75-run partnership that pushed Bangladesh past 250. Mominul, who had looked set for a hundred, was dismissed for 91 off 200 balls by Noman Ali. Mushfiqur remained unbeaten on 48 off 104 balls, sharing an unbroken stand with Litton Das, who was eight not out at stumps.

How did Pakistan's bowlers perform on day one of the Bangladesh Test?

Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali, and Noman Ali each took one wicket but struggled to build sustained pressure throughout the day. Pakistan conceded 32 extras in total, with Noman Ali bowling six no-balls. Shaheen Afridi was noticeably below his usual pace across the day's play.

Bangladesh's commanding position on day one continues a strong recent run against Pakistan. Bangladesh beat Pakistan 2-0 in a Test series on Pakistani soil in August 2024, their first-ever away Test series win against the Green Shirts.