Bangladesh rode on a superb 170-run third-wicket partnership between Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque to reach 201 for three at tea on the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan in Mirpur on Friday, before Mohammad Abbas finally broke through late in the session.
After slumping to 31 for two inside 11 overs on a lively green surface, Bangladesh wrested back control through the experienced duo, who combined discipline with selective aggression to frustrate the visitors throughout the afternoon.
Shanto led the recovery with a commanding 101 off 130 deliveries, striking 12 fours and two sixes en route to his ninth Test hundred. The Bangladesh skipper has now scored four centuries in his last eight Test innings.
Mominul, meanwhile, continued his remarkable consistency, remaining unbeaten on 64 off 139 balls with seven boundaries.
The left-hander brought up his fourth consecutive Test fifty, extending a streak that began during the home series against Ireland in November last year.
The pair steadily rebuilt the innings after the early damage caused by Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali.
Bangladesh crossed 150 shortly after the drinks break, while the third-wicket stand reached 150 in 225 deliveries as Pakistan’s bowlers gradually lost their early bite.
Shanto accelerated confidently after lunch, handling both pace and spin with assurance. He brought up his hundred off 129 balls before Pakistan finally found relief just before tea when Abbas trapped him lbw with a delivery that jagged back in sharply.
Pakistan overturned Richard Kettleborough’s original not-out decision through review to end the marathon stand at 201.
Mushfiqur Rahim had just arrived at the crease and was unbeaten on nought alongside Mominul at the tea interval, with Bangladesh firmly placed after recovering from early trouble.