Photo: Collected

DHAKA, May 12, 2026 (BSS)-Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto came 
agonizingly close to entering an exclusive world record list, which included 
just three cricketers.

Shanto scored 101 and 87 runs in the two innings against Pakistan in the 
opening Test, playing an important role in helping the side seal a crushing 
104-run victory. 

A century in the second innings would have seen him join the likes of 
includes Sunil Gavaskar, Ricky Ponting and David Warner who centuries in both 
innings for three times. 

Bangladesh, aiming to set Pakistan a challenging fourth-innings target, once 
again relied on their captain's fluent batting on Day 5, the final day of the 
game today at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

However, Shanto's innings ended in disappointment when he attempted a reverse 
sweep against left-arm spinner Noman Ali and was trapped lbw. The on-field 
decision stood after review, forcing the left-hander to depart just short of 
another hundred.

Shanto already holds the record of scoring centuries in both innings of a 
Test match twice in his career. 

He first achieved the feat against Afghanistan in Mirpur in 2023 with scores 
of 146 and 124, steering the side to a record 546-run victory. 

He replicated the achievement in Galle against Sri Lanka in June 2025 with 
innings of 148 and 125, although that match ended in a draw.

Had Shanto converted his 87 into a century, he would have become only the 
fourth batter in Test history to score hundreds in both innings of a match on 
three separate occasions. 

Bangladesh's innings folded quickly after their skipper's dismissal as the 
hosts declared at 240-9, setting Pakistan a target of 268 runs after taking a 
27-run first-innings lead. Alongside Shanto's 87, Mominul Haque contributed 
56. 

Pakistan were bowled out for just 163 to taste a 104-run defeat with Nahid 
Rana ripping through the batting line up with 5-40.