Liton is undefeated at 113 while Mushfiqur Rahim is steady at 82. The duo reeled Pakistan bowlers, adding 204 runs to fifth-wicket stand
26 November, 2021
PHOTO: AFP
Wicketkeeper Liton Das and senior batter Mushfiqur Rahim dominated day one of the opening Test against Pakistan in Chattogram as Bangladesh scored 253/4 in 85 overs at the end of the day's play.
Liton is undefeated at 113 while Mushfiqur Rahim is steady at 82. The duo reeled Pakistan bowlers, adding 204 runs to the fifth-wicket stand.
Earlier, Bangladesh captain Mominal Haque continued the trend Mahmudullah had started in the T20Is by besting Babar Azam at the toss, and, like Mahmudullah, opted to bat first.
The home side came up with an aggressive approach but lost wickets at regular intervals. Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah bagged the first wicket as he bowled a short delivery which was unplayable for Saif Hasan. Abid Ali fielding at short leg took a smart catch. Saif made 14 off 12 balls.
Shaheen's partner Hasan Ali joined the party and removed Shadman Islam from the other end. Shadman, who also scored 14, opted for a review but it was all three reds for Hasan.
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam introduced off-spinner Sajid Khan who instantly produced dismissal. Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque (6) edged the ball but umpire didn't give out. The visitors reviewed it and it showed a feather touch on UltraEdge.
Bangladesh were left teetering after Sajid took a great catch diving to his left while fielding at point. The curse of 14 continued as Najmul Hossain Shanto was the third man to dismiss on this score. The visitors reduced Bangladesh to 69/4 at Lunch.
𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡, 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟏
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) November 26, 2021
Successful first session for Pakistan as the reduce Bangladesh to 69-4 at Lunch.
🎯 Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, and Sajid Khan with a wicket each.#BANvPAK pic.twitter.com/36qfz2aYW1
In the second session, Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das fought back and took Bangladesh to 171/4 at Tea. They added 102 runs in the second session to even things out. Both the batters knew their target of attack as they scored at nearly 3.5 runs per over.
Shaheen persisted with the short-ball strategy at the start of the final session and managed to force Liton, who was at 67, to make an error but Sajid Khan dropped the simplest of catches.
Pakistan had no fortunes after that opportunity as both batters were solid at the crease. In the process, Liton hit his first century of the Test career. In his 225-ball unbeaten knock, he has smacked 11 fours and a six while Mushfiqur stroked ten fours in his 190-ball innings.
Standing ovation for Liton Das as he scores his maiden ton against Pakistan! 👏
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) November 26, 2021
His innings could have ended on 67 had Sajid Khan held on to the catch but it wasn't meant to be!#BANvPAK pic.twitter.com/0Ug3VHN6Jx
It must be noted that Pakistan handed Test debut to Abdullah Shafique while Yasir Ali was handed Test cap by Bangladesh at the start of the opening Test.
