Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto hit an unbeaten half-century as Bangladesh extended their lead by 179 runs on the rainy fourth day of the first Test against Pakistan on Monday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The hosts were 152-3 in their second innings, with Shanto on 58 not out alongside Mushfiqur Rahim on 16, when stumps were drawn for the day at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bangladesh lost their openers early after resuming on their overnight score 7-0, with Mahmudul Hasan Joy trapped leg before off Mohammad Abbas for five.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shadman Islam was then caught at gully by Saud Shakeel off Hasan Ali for 10, leaving the hosts reeling at 23-2.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shanto came to the rescue, joining hands with Mominul Haque (56) to steady the innings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The left-handed pair, who had tormented Pakistan with a record 170-run third wicket stand in the first innings, added 70 runs off 122 balls to take Bangladesh to lunch at 92-2.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pakistan had chances to make further inroads but Mohammad Rizwan failed to hold on to Mominul's catch.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The afternoon session was washed out as heavy rain continued for nearly three hours.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
When play resumed, Shanto and Mominul extended their stand to 105 off 193 balls -- Bangladesh's third century partnership between the pair in Tests and only the third time any Bangladesh pair posted century stands in both innings of the same match.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mominul reached his half-century off 102 balls, the milestone also taking him past 5,000 Test runs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He was dismissed for 56, caught behind off Shaheen Shah Afridi one ball after Shanto had brought up his own fifty.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bangladesh scored 413 in their first innings, thanks to Shanto (101), Mominul (91) and Mushfiqur (71).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Abbas was the most successful Pakistan bowler, taking 5-92.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pakistan, who had elected to field, replied with 386 after Azan hit a century on debut.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bangladesh batting coach Mohammad Ashraful was upbeat about his side's prospects on the final day.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We are playing to win. I think if we can bowl 70-75 overs tomorrow, and if there is no rain, there will be the opportunity to play 98 overs. I think we will have a chance to win," Ashraful said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pakistan's Salman Ali Agha said he was confident of his side chasing any target.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Definitely we'll go for the win," he said after the day's play.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"If they are brave enough to give us 70 overs and 260, we will definitely go for the chase," Salman said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Tomorrow is going to be an exciting day of Test cricket and we just want to get them out as quickly as we can."<\/p>\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Pakistan-tour-of-Bangladesh-2026,-Pakistan-vs-Bangladesh,-Najmul-Hossain-Shanto.jpeg", "alt_img": "Pakistan tour of Bangladesh 2026, Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Najmul Hossain Shanto", "alt_title": "Pakistan tour of Bangladesh 2026 first test", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "Najmul Hossain Shanto\u2019s Unbeaten Fifty Puts Bangladesh Ahead Against Pakistan On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "Najmul Hossain Shanto remained unbeaten on 58 as Bangladesh stretched their lead to 179 against Pakistan on Day 4 of the first Test in Dhaka, setting up an exciting final day.", "seo_keywords": "Pakistan Tour Bangladesh 2026, Pakistan Vs Bangladesh, Najmul Hossain Shanto", "tag": null, "tagging": "Pakistan Tour Bangladesh 2026,Pakistan Vs Bangladesh,Najmul Hossain Shanto,", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "najmul-hossain-shantos-unbeaten-fifty-puts-bangladesh-ahead-against-pakistan", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "1", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "918", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "1", "created": "2026-05-12 08:48:09", "updated": "2026-05-12 08:49:01", "img_from": "Image Source: Google", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Pakistan Tour Bangladesh 2026, Pakistan Vs Bangladesh, Najmul Hossain Shanto", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "0", "google_feed": "0", "read_more": "1", "posted_by": "19", "jio_date": "2026-05-12 08:48:09", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "1", "breaking_news": "1", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "pred_match_id": "Select", "article_content_type": "Match Report", "england_cricket": "0", "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/najmul-hossain-shantos-unbeaten-fifty-puts-bangladesh-ahead-against-pakistan-195630" }