Mominul anchors Bangladesh’s steady start against Pakistan
Hosts Bangladesh, who chose to bat after winning the toss, were 236 for 4 at the end of the first day of the first Test against Pakistan at Khulna on Tuesday. Mominul Haque was out leg-before-wicket on the last ball of the day, leaving Shakib Al Hasan unbeaten on 19.
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Bangladesh’s innings was anchored by Haque who scored a patient 80 in 162 deliveries. He was ably supported by Imrul Kayes who scored 51 and Mahmudullah who missed his 50 by just one run.
With this effort Mominul has now scored 50 or more runs in each of his last 10 Tests. Only four batsmen – Viv Richards of the West Indies, South Africa's AB de Villiers and the Indian duo of Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag – have scored more 50s in consecutive Test matches.
The other highlights of the day were the slow run rate and the missed chances by Pakistani fielders. The visitors let go as many as five chances in the first two sessions.
Hosts Bangladesh headed into the Test series against the backdrop of a 3-0 whitewash of Pakistan in the One Day series besides defeating them for the first time in a Twenty20 international.
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The hosts handed Test debuts to Soumya Sarkar and fast bowler Mohammad Shahid, while Sami Aslam made his debut for Pakistan.
Star off spin bowler Saeed Ajmal was not picked for this match with Pakistan preferring to go in with two specialist slow bowlers in Zulfiqar Babar and Yasir Shah.
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