Mushfiqur, Liton’s record-breaking partnership keeps Tigers on hunt

After the domination by Sri Lanka in the first session, Bangladesh came back strongly in the post-lunch session on Day 1 in the second and final Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Monday. 

Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton das made an unbeaten stand of 254 runs which helped their side to collect 277 runs after losing five batters. That Mushfiqur-Liton partnership is one of the best partnerships in Bangladesh Test history. 

It is the Tigers' highest sixth-wicket partnership. Meanwhile, the duo broke a world record as well which stood for 63 years. They broke the record of Pakistan's Wallis Mathias and Shujauddin Butt partnership against West Indies in 1959.

The visitors were asked to bowl first and the pacers responded superbly. Both openers -Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Tamim Iqbal were dismissed for a duck each.

Off-form Mominul Haque followed soon and then Kasun Rajitha struck twice in two balls to get rid of Najmul Hasan Shanto and Shakib Al Hasan. 

At 24 for five, the hosts were in deep pits, but the two in-form batters, Mushfiqur and Litton stood firm to save the team from a total collapse. 

Both the batters picked up their centuries. After the end of the first-day play, Mushfiqur was on 115 while Liton was unbeaten on 135 runs. He was dropped on 47 by Kamindu Mendis.

Kasun Rajitha picked up three while Asitha Fernando claimed two wickets so far for the Islanders.

Ban: 277/5