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Two brave innings from skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto has powered Bangladesh to a massive 104-run victory over Pakistan 104 in the first Test in Mirpur.
The captain led from the front, posting the top scores of both Bangladeshi innings to steady the team after early losses of wickets.
With the century, Shanto also broke the record of the most tons from a Bangladeshi captain in the Test format.
With rain having curtailed play, the game seemed poised for a draw at the start of play on Tuesday.
But Shanto decided to chase the win, a decision that could have seen the Tigers lose the contest.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing. While the aggressive approach put runs on the board, the Pakistani bowlers took their chances to pick off wickets as well.
Mushfiqur Rahim (22) ended up holing out after trying to launch Hasan Ali over the top, Litton Das (11) struck a boundary before being caught at fine leg off a delivery from Shaheen Shah Afridi, and even Shanto was caught in front of the stumps while attempting a reverse sweep.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz (24) hit several big shots before Noman Ali caught his outside edge for a pouch in the slips.
The dismissal of Taskin Ahmed in the 71st over prompted the Tigers to declare and go on the hunt for a win.
Hasan Ali (3-52) and Noman (3-76) ended with the best figures among the Pakistani bowling attack.
Taskin struck early with the ball to unnerve the Pakistani batters, who were chasing an attainable 268.
Though Abdullah Fazal (66) put up a dogged fight, as he had in the first innings, he found little support at the other end.
Sharp bowling from Nahid Rana (5-40) and crucial wickets from Taijul Islam (2-22) and Taskin (2-40) saw the Tigers emerge victorious.
The second Test of the series is set to begin on Saturday, May 16 in Sylhet.

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