However, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and veteran Mushfiqur Rahim took control, batting through the next two sessions with authority. Both players reached unbeaten centuries, putting Bangladesh firmly in command at 292 for 3 by stumps.
Shanto had hinted at batting first if he won the toss, and he stayed true to his word, expecting the pitch to assist batters early in the match.
Though the top-order collapse left the team in early trouble at 45 for 3, Shanto and Mushfiq stabilized the innings with composure.
Speaking after the day’s play, Mushfiqur said: “It was a challenge for us to get a good start regardless of conditions, and I think we owned the first day. Tomorrow, we’ll try to do the same—if we can win at least two out of the three sessions, we’ll go far ahead in the match, In Sha Allah.”
