Shanto and Mominul take Bangladesh past 100 after Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali strike early in Mirpur Test

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Bangladesh bounced back strongly after an early collapse as Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque guided the hosts past the 100-run mark in the opening session of the first Test against Pakistan at Mirpur. After Pakistan captain Shan Masood won the toss and elected to bowl on a green-top surface, the visitors looked in control with quick wickets from Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali.

Bangladesh were reduced to 31 for 2 in the opening hour after Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shadman Islam fell cheaply under overcast conditions that heavily favoured the seamers. Afridi drew first blood by forcing Joy into an outside edge in the fourth over, while Hasan Ali found extra movement to dismiss Shadman with Salman Agha completing a sharp catch in the slips.

Pakistan’s pace trio, which also included Mohammad Abbas, consistently troubled the Bangladesh batters early on. Abbas, despite bowling disciplined lines, was unlucky not to pick up a wicket during an impressive spell that created constant pressure.

However, Bangladesh steadied themselves through a crucial unbeaten partnership between Mominul Haque and Najmul Hossain Shanto. The pair absorbed the pressure patiently before gradually counterattacking as the conditions eased in Mirpur.

Mominul survived a major scare when an edge flew between Salman Agha and debutant Abdullah Fazal in the slips, giving Bangladesh a much-needed reprieve. From there, both batters began to settle in, rotating strike smartly and punishing loose deliveries.

Shanto looked especially confident as the session progressed, playing fluent drives through the off side and taking on Pakistan’s bowlers with aggressive intent. His positive approach forced Shan Masood to experiment with part-time spin from Salman Agha, but the move backfired when Shanto launched a short delivery into the midwicket stands for the first six of the match.

Pakistan’s early dominance slowly faded in the final phase before lunch as Bangladesh scored freely. Shaheen Afridi, who bowled a demanding nine-over spell, lost some effectiveness later in the session while Shanto and Mominul capitalised on the softer conditions.

The final ten overs before lunch produced 56 runs, helping Bangladesh recover impressively from early trouble. By the break, the hosts had crossed the 100-run mark and shifted momentum after a difficult start in the opening Test of the series.