MIRPUR, May 8 (V7N) — Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and veteran left-hander Mominul Haque showed immense grit to guide Bangladesh to 101-2 at lunch on Day 1 of the opening Test against Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

The duo stitched together a crucial, unbeaten 70-run partnership for the third wicket, rescuing the hosts after they were left reeling at 31-2 in the first hour.
Early Morning Wobble

Pakistan captain Shan Masood won the toss and opted to bowl first, a decision that bore fruit early as his pacers exploited the morning moisture and lively seam movement.

Mahmudul Hasan Joy: After surviving an early scare on 6, the young opener failed to make it count, eventually falling for 8 after edging a sharp delivery from Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Shadman Islam: The other opener struggled to find his rhythm against the moving ball and was dismissed for 13, caught at first slip.

The Recovery Stand

Coming together at a precarious 31-2, Shanto and Mominul adopted a "safety-first" approach to see off the initial burst from Pakistan’s fast bowlers.

Tactical Resistance: Shanto played with controlled aggression, ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking, while Mominul provided his trademark stability from the other end.

Frustrated Pakistan: Despite the early breakthroughs, the Pakistan bowling attack grew frustrated as the surface flattened out slightly towards the end of the session, allowing the Bangladeshi pair to settle.

The hosts will head into the afternoon session looking to capitalize on this foundation, while Pakistan will be eager to break the partnership early to regain control of the opening day.

END/AJ/RH/