File photo of Nazmul Hossain Shanto AFP

Shanto scored 96 as A team at stumps were on 260/5 on the opening day of the first four-dayer

Bangladesh A team batsman Nazmul Hossain Shanto topped the opening day of the four-day game against BCB HP Unit in Chittagong's Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium Thursday.

The left-handed batsman scored 96 as A team at stumps were on 260/5. 

BCB HP Unit captain Akbar Ali opted to field first after winning the toss and was vindicated as A team opener Saif Hasan [15] got dismissed early in the innings.

A team however, found Shadman Islam and Shanto recover the damage as the duo added123 runs for the second wicket.

Hasan Murad dismissed Shadman for 58 to break the partnership.

A team then lost Mohammad Mithun on nine through a run out, Yasir Ali Chowdhury on 21 and finally Shanto, the last wicket to fall on the day, following an innings involving 203 deliveries laced with eight boundaries and three over boundaries.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Irfan Sukkur and Munim Shahriar were unbeaten on 28 and 15 respectively at end of day one.

Mahmudul Hasan, Sumon Khan, Rajaur Rahman and Murad picked up a wicket each for HP Unit.

 The A team and BCB HP Unit are set to play one more four-day game and three one-dayers in the series. 

The second four-day match will begin at the same venue on September 23.

The three one-day matches will be played on September 30, October 2 and 4 respectively.

Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim is likely to play the first two one-day matches for A team.

The right-handed batsman has not been among the runs and is aiming to add some match time before travelling to Oman for the T20 World Cup in early October.