Shanto hits ninth Test ton as Bangladesh face Pakistan in Mirpur Test

The captain’s resilient knock steadies the hosts at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has struck his ninth Test century to guide the hosts’ innings against Pakistan in Mirpur.

The left-hander reached the milestone at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Tigers went into the two-match series still without a win in the current World Test Championship cycle, having drawn one match and lost the other in their opening two Tests.

The build-up to the series had repeatedly brought back memories of Bangladesh’s historic 2-0 Test series sweep over Pakistan in Rawalpindi in 2024 -- the Tigers’ first-ever Test series win against the side.

While both teams said before the series that the past was behind them and the focus was on the present, that breakthrough success has continued to fuel confidence and expectations around the Bangladesh side.

Shanto’s century helped steady the innings as Bangladesh looked to build on that momentum against Pakistan once again.

[Updates to follow]