Twitter Reactions: Bangladesh in command after Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s crucial partnership on Day 1

Afghanistan and Bangladesh Test Team. (Photo Source : Twitter and Getty/MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP)

Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Najmul Hossain Shanto’s outstanding partnership helped Bangladesh to be in a commendable position on Day 1 (June 14) of the one-off Test against Afghanistan at the Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. Shanto hit an incredible 146 from 175 deliveries, including 23 boundaries and two sixes. Joy, on the other hand, smashed 76 runs off 137 balls, including nine fours.

Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and invited Bangladesh to bat first. Afghanistan’s debutant pacer Nijat Masood gave an early breakthrough for the visiting side as he dismissed the opener Zakir Hasan cheaply. However, Joy and Shanto led the charge for the home team, adding 212 runs for the second wicket.

Bangladesh lost a few wickets in the final session, but Mushfiqur Rahim (41*) and Mehidy Hasan (43*) got things back on track, and Bangladesh were 362/5 at stumps on Day 1. Masood has made an impressive debut, taking a second wicket, removing Mominul Haque. Apart from the 24-year-old, Zahir Khan, Amir Hamza, and Rahmat Shah took one wicket each.

Bangladesh have made a fantastic start to the one-off Test and they are well placed in the game. Afghanistan fought back in the final session, but Bangladesh will be hoping that Mehidy Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim can keep going and lead the home side to a huge score. In the same vein, after the finish of day 1, the cricket fans took to social media to express their views on how things panned out on the first day of the Dhaka Test.

Here’s how fans reacted to the first day of the BAN vs AFG solitary Test:

What a fantastic start for Bangladesh in the only Test against Afghanistan! 🔥🇧🇩 After Day 1, Bangladesh stands strong at 362 runs for 5 wickets. Najmul Hossain Shanto steals the show with a brilliant century, scoring 146 runs. Mahmudul Hasan Joy impresses with a solid 76, while… pic.twitter.com/oBPUY7l1yN

— Syed Sami (@SamisDaily) June 14, 2023

What an outstanding performance by Najmul Hossain Shanto in the one-off Test against Afghanistan! His brilliant knock of 146 runs off just 174 balls put Bangladesh in control. A truly masterful display of batting. Well played, Shanto!

— Labib Choudhury (@iamlabibchy) June 14, 2023

Karim Janat* – 8.2-3-25-0
Amir Hamza – 17.0-0-64-1
Recent Overs Stats … 0 0 0 L1 0 0

Last Wicket – Najmul Hossain Shanto c Nasir Jamal b Amir Hamza 146(175) – 271/4 in 57.6 ov.

Overs Remain – 29.4

— 𝐒𝐧𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐫 ~ 𝓓𝓾𝓼𝓱𝓪𝓷 🜃🖤🇱🇰🤖 (@619Sniper619Bot) June 14, 2023

15 no ball & 7 wide ball deliveries bowled by Afghanistan bowlers during 1st day of the test match 👀#BANvAFG

— Masum (@masum_twt) June 14, 2023

Good total in the end. Not bad for a day. #BANvAFG

— Tanvir Rahman (@pritomtanvir) June 14, 2023

Bangladesh 362/5 Stumps on Day 1 in First innings. Fabulous Knock Najmul Shanto 146(175). Well played Mahmudul Hasan Joy 76.@BCBtigers #BANvAFG

— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan) June 14, 2023

An unbroken 6th wicket stand of 72 between Mehidy and Mushy sees Bangladesh close on 362-5. Just 79 overs bowled, shocking over rate from the Afghans. Bangladesh will be feeling pretty happy. Afghans need wickets with the new ball tomorrow. #banvafg

— Chris Murtagh (@Murtini2023) June 14, 2023

Day 1 ends and just 79 overs bowled in 6 and a half hours in the Mirpur test, of which 49 were spin overs…embarrassingly poor over rate… #GETONWITHTHEGAMEFFS #BanvAfg

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) June 14, 2023

GOATmul Hosaain Shanto, YOU ROCKED MY WORLD! #BANvAFG

— Rafin (@Lampardsonn) June 14, 2023

I like this approach by Bangladesh today. Put runs on the board and things will fall into places accordingly. Positive intent pays off. #BANvAFG

— Tanvir Rahman (@pritomtanvir) June 14, 2023

Afghanistan hardly gets a chance to play Test match and their global star Rashid Khan has been rested to be fresh and play global T20 leagues.#BANvAFG

— Mr. Kirati (@powerlessboy) June 14, 2023

Mehidy Hasan Miraz has already scored over 1200 runs in test and has 148 test wickets and he is only 25. If Bangladesh plays regular cricket he could become a Test great #BANvAFG @Officialmiraz

— Hadron 💥 (@AkkiSrt) June 14, 2023