Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has etched his name into the history books with a batting masterclass against Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. In a performance defined by poise and aggression, Shanto notched his 9th career Test century, steering his team out of early trouble and breaking a long-standing captaincy record in just 30 innings.

Here is how the "Shanto Storm" took over the opening day of the first Test.

A Record-Breaking Century

Shanto’s innings wasn’t just a rescue act; it was a record-shattering milestone. By reaching triple figures in Dhaka, he has officially become the Bangladesh captain with the most Test centuries.

• The New Milestone: Shanto now has 5 Test centuries as captain in just 30 innings.

• Surpassing Legends: He moved past the iconic Mushfiqur Rahim, who held the record with 4 centuries as captain. Mominul Haque follows with 3.

• Chasing the All-Time Lead: With 9 centuries in 74 innings, Shanto is rapidly closing in on the all-time Bangladesh record of 13 centuries, currently shared by Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim.

The Rescue Act: Partnership with Mominul

The day started on a shaky note for the hosts after Pakistan captain Shan Masood won the toss and elected to bowl.

• Early Blows: Pakistan's pace battery struck early, with Shaheen Afridi dismissing Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Hasan Ali removing Shadman Islam, leaving Bangladesh reeling.

• The 170-Run Stand: Captain Shanto and former captain Mominul Haque joined forces to steady the ship. Their massive 170-run partnership took Bangladesh from a position of crisis to total control.

• Lunch Dominance: The duo played with extreme patience, guiding the team to 101 runs by the lunch break.

Aggression After the Break

Shanto shifted gears effortlessly after lunch, reaching his half-century in 71 balls and eventually sprinting to his hundred in just 129 deliveries. His knock was decorated with 12 boundaries and two towering sixes, showcasing "pure Test-match class." While he was eventually trapped LBW by Mohammad Abbas shortly after his ton, the damage to the Pakistani bowling attack had already been done.

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The Bottom Line

Najmul Hossain Shanto is proving to be a "down-to-earth" leader who leads by example. By shattering the record for most centuries as captain in such a short span, he has signaled a new era of dominance for Bangladesh cricket. If he maintains this blistering pace, it won't be long before he stands alone at the top of the mountain as Bangladesh’s greatest-ever Test centurion.