Report

Najmul Hossain Shanto Leads Bangladesh Charge Against Pakistan

Diya · 12/05/2026 · 3 min read

A Decisive Day at Mirpur

The Test match in Mirpur has reached a critical juncture, with Bangladesh setting Pakistan a challenging target of 268 runs to win from a minimum of 76 overs. After a persistent effort with the bat, Bangladesh declared their second innings at 240 for 9 on the fifth morning, pushing their total lead to 267 runs. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto made the decisive call to end the innings shortly after Taskin Ahmed fell to Hasan Ali during the first session.

Shanto’s Masterclass and the Middle Order

The day began with Pakistan showing promise in the field. Hasan Ali was instrumental early on, removing the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim for 22. Rahim’s departure, caught by Shan Masood at mid-off, signaled an aggressive intent from Pakistan’s bowlers. Shortly after, Litton Das struggled to settle, managing only 11 runs before being dismissed by Shaheen Afridi. The catch at fine leg, taken expertly by Hasan, further bolstered Pakistan’s momentum.

However, the narrative shifted as captain Najmul Hossain Shanto steadied the ship. Shanto, who was in pursuit of twin centuries after his 101-run effort in the first innings, looked in fine touch throughout his 150-ball stay. His innings of 87 was characterized by seven crisp boundaries and a composed approach to the spin threat.

Mehidy’s Aggression and Noman Ali’s Milestone

Mehidy Hasan Miraz provided much-needed impetus to the Bangladesh scorecard. His attacking display included consecutive boundaries off Shaheen Afridi and a towering six off Noman Ali. Despite a missed stumping opportunity by Mohammad Rizwan, the partnership proved vital in stretching the lead to a point where a declaration became feasible.

The highlight of the bowling performance, however, belonged to Noman Ali. The veteran spinner etched his name into the history books by claiming his 100th Test wicket. By removing both Shanto and Mehidy, Noman secured his place in the record, becoming the oldest player in Test history to reach the century mark in wickets at 39 years and 213 days. His dismissal of Shanto, who missed a reverse sweep, was a pivotal moment in the session.

The Path to Victory

With a target of 268, the match hangs in a delicate balance. Pakistan’s batting lineup faces a stern test on a surface that has offered assistance to spinners and seamers alike throughout the contest. Bangladesh, buoyed by the late-order resistance and their captain’s leadership, will look to maintain the pressure as the final hours of the Test unfold.

As the teams prepare for the final push, the conditions in Mirpur suggest that every run will be hard-earned. Pakistan will need a disciplined approach to chase down the target, while Bangladesh remains confident that their total is sufficient to force a result in their favor. The cricket world watches closely as both sides aim to conclude this compelling Test match with a decisive performance.