Shanto and Joy see Tigers dominate first session

Things have gone Bangladesh's way since losing opener Zakir Hasan early in the innings as the Tigers look to be in control of the proceedings in their one-off Test against Afghanistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today.

At lunch, Bangladesh reached 116 for the loss of one wicket after 24 overs with in-form batter Najmul Hossain Shanto unbeaten on 64 and opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy on 38 not out. The duo also stitched together an unbeaten 110-run second-wicket stand.

Runs have come at a decent rate of 4.83 per over with Shanto contributing to the bulk of the scoring. On way to his fourth Test fifty, Shanto played some exquisite shots, including two back-to-back straight drives off left-arm wrist spinner Zahir Khan that not only showed his confidence but also denied Afghanistan any chance to start assuming control.

However, at times, Shanto rode his luck as he saw leading edges run away to the boundary. But the left-handed batter remained unfazed, playing with a positive mindset throughout. Shanto brought up his fifty, off 58 deliveries, with a pull behind square off a Zahir delivery. He smashed a total of 11 boundaries so far.

Meanwhile, Joy, who played more cautiously, slowly gained rhythm. Despite a few close calls, Joy took on the bowlers at the latter stage of the first session. He smashed Zahir for two boundaries in the same over, pouncing on loose deliveries on both occasions.

Earlier, Bangladesh lost opener Zakir in the very first delivery of the second over of the innings. Pacer Nijat Masood, who had Zakir nick one back to the wicketkeeper, became the first Afghan and 22nd player overall to claim a wicket with his first ball on Test debut.

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