Najmul Hossain Shanto plays captain's knock as classy hundred rubbles Ireland on Day 3

Najmul Hossain Shanto records classy ton against Ireland [Source: @BCBtigers/X.com]

Najmul Hossain Shanto, the Bangladesh Test skipper, has been a pretty consistent Test player for his team with his solid credentials this year. 

The captain played a gargantuan knock in the first Test between Bangladesh and Ireland as he continued to steer the ship of the hosts with the bat. 

Shanto continues punishing Ireland after Mahmudul

At the tea break on Day 3, Najmul Hossain Shanto piled up 100 runs from 114 balls with 14 boundaries to his name. This is Shanto's third century this year, with the first and second coming against Sri Lanka (148 and 125) back in June 2025. 

Shanto's numbers have been consistent in Test cricket, with an average of 33.17 from 38 matches he has played. In 2025, Shanto bagged one half-century, though his 2024 season was not really a great one since he managed an average of only 21.13 compared to 2025's 74.71. 

Najmul Hossain Shanto keeps up with the top-order!

In the ongoing match, Shanto played the captain's knock after Bangladesh's top order, Mahmud Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, and Mominul Haque, contributed with 50-plus scores, with Mahmudul scoring 171 to give Bangladesh an edge in the 286-run lead to beat Ireland. 

With seven wickets down at 575, Shanto reserved his duties as captain, after much turmoil in the captaincy debate as Test skipper, before falling to Andy McBrine in the 129th over. His longest partnership stood with Litton Das at 98 runs from 107 deliveries. Solid top-order contributions from Mominul's 82, Shadman's 80, and Litton Das's 60. 

Bangladesh now stands in a strong position, leading by over 290 runs after Ireland's first innings, with Matthew Humphreys being the pick of the bowlers with four wickets from his 42 overs.

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