Najmul Hossain Shanto struck his third Test ton that guided Bangladesh to finish their opening day of the one-off Test on a bright note against Afghanistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday.

With Shanto and Mahmdul Hasan Joy finishing with 146 and 76 runs and Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz remaining unbeaten on 41 and 43, the home side managed 362-5 at stumps.

The latter duo added 72 runs in the sixth wicket stand to earn the third highest score in the opening day of a Test match.

Debutant Nijat Masood claimed two and Zahir Khan, Amir Hamza and Rahmat Shah each took one wicket.

Following the dismissal of Mominul Haque [15] in post tea session Bangladesh also lost Shanto and Liton Das for 9 that reduced them to 290-5.

Then incoming Mushfiq and Miraz went untroubled until the final ball of the day.
Earlier, following the lunch break Shanto along with his partner Joy continued their tenacious batting approach forming a 212-run partnership in the second wicket.

The latter eventually fell to Rahmat Shah just a few over prior to the day’s second break.

However, Shanto who counterattacked epitomized Bangladesh's ambition to play an aggressive brand of cricket and it paid off handsomely reaching third Test ton with the help of 21 boundaries and one maximum.

Nevertheless, Bangladesh made a shaky start losing their opener Zakir Hasan for 1.

Zakir was initially declared not out by the on-field umpire but the replay indicated that the left-hander had nicked the ball to wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai.