Pakistan will host Bangladesh in the 2-matches Test series starting from August 21st. The 1st Test will be played between August 21-25 and the 2nd Test will run from August 30-September 03. Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi will host both matches. The 2nd Test was moved out from National Stadium, Karachi, which is under renovation. Pakistan are two places ahead of Bangladesh in the World Test Championship table but both teams are in the bottom half.
And both are playing their first series since the T20 World Cup. Bangladesh exited from the Super Eight while Pakistan couldn’t even reach that stage, leaving both sets of fans disappointed with their performances. This Test series will be a chance to make amends. Luckily, there has been a considerable gap from the World Cup, which will allow the teams to play with a fresh perspective.
PAK vs BAN Previous Performances
This will be Shan Masood-led Pakistan’s first Test assignment since their shambolic 0-3 whitewash against Australia Down Under in December 2023 – January 2024. Pakistan will be returning to action for the first time since their abrupt first-round exit in the T20 World Cup 2024. Jason Gillespie, who was appointed as the head coach of the red-ball team in April 2024, will be eager to inspire the players and help them realize their true potential.
Mohammad Rizwan was the leading run-scorer for Pakistan against the Aussies. In four innings, he scored 193 runs at an average of 48.25. Meanwhile, Aamer Jamal, who impressed everyone by finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker with 18 wickets from three matches at 20.44, has been ruled out with back issues. However, Naseem Shah is set to return to the format for the first time in over a year.
The hosts meanwhile, haven’t played a Test match for the best part of this year. Their last Test series was the 3-0 drubbing away, at the hands of Australia. A new head coach and fresh ideas should rejuvenate a team which has flattered to deceive most times on the field. Naseem Shah’s comeback into the squad is a major boost after his injury while batters Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique will look to cement their place in the Test lineup for the foreseeable future.
Meanwhile, Bangladeshi players will have to focus on the challenging task of facing Pakistan in their own backyard and avert thoughts of the political tension that has rocked the country. The Bangla Tigers will also be returning to action for the first time since their loss to Afghanistan in the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup 2024.
In March-April Sri Lanka toured Bangladesh to play a multi-format series. The Lankan Lions won the two-match Test series convincingly by a 2-0 margin. Sri Lanka in the first match by 328 runs and the second by 192 runs. Even the most passionate Bangladeshi fan will admit that the Tigers have a lot of room for improvement in the red-ball arena.
Former skipper Mominul Haque top-scored for Bangladesh in the series against Sri Lanka, as he amassed 175 runs from four innings at an average of 58.33. Meanwhile, seamer Khaled Ahmed bagged the most number of wickets in the series for the hosts, as he bagged seven from two Tests at an average of 31.86.
Bangladesh were heavily defeated in their last series against Sri Lanka in March this year. But a series draw to New Zealand last winter, should provide them with confidence heading against an unpredictable Pakistan side. Civil unrest and turmoil having engulfed the country over the last month has seen many Bangladesh Cricket Board officials flee the country. Quality Test cricket might provide the general public some respite and maybe even a smile, even if it is a faint one.
PAK vs BAN Head to Head
In their six-series bilateral history in Test cricket, beginning 2001, Bangladesh have not registered a single win against Pakistan. A head-to-head record of 12-0 [one draw] in favour of Pakistan does not augment well for the visitors either. But, cricket is a funny game, as they say, and Bangladesh will have come to the shores of Pakistan to prove a point not just to the world but to themselves – that they belong at this level.
| Matches | 13 |
| Won by Pakistan | 12 |
| Won by Bangladesh | 00 |
| Draw | 01 |
| No Result | 00 |
| First-ever Fixture |
August 29, 2001
|
| Most-recent Fixture |
December 4, 2021
|
PAK VS BAN Pitch Report
The pitch has a bit of grass but there is a strong belief that it could be favorable to batters. The last two Tests here have been high-scoring with teams posting totals of 657, 579, 476 for 4 dec, and 459 in their first innings. Rain, however, could play a major role as showers are forecast for all five days.
The last two Tests played here in 2022 saw very flat and sluggish surfaces. The tracks offered nothing for the bowlers and were heavily criticized. There is some rain forecast in the wee hours on most mornings of the scheduled five-day game.
As per emerging pictures, the surface at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium contains live grass. So, besides the new ball swing, expect some extra bounce and seam movement from the fast bowlers. However, the conditions will ease out eventually, with the batters enjoying their time in the middle from the third day onwards. The spinners will get a hint of turn throughout the game. Considering the seam-friendly conditions, the toss-winner might bowl first.
The Rawalpindi pitch is anticipated to be a batter’s paradise, likely leading to high scores. Although early swing and bounce might initially aid pace bowlers, these benefits are expected to fade as the innings progresses. As the surface dries, spinners could become more influential, capitalizing on the conditions to take wickets.
PAK vs BAN Big Picture : Pakistan and Bangladesh set to make amends in the Test series
Pakistan are two places ahead of Bangladesh in the World Test Championship table but both teams are in the bottom half. And both are playing their first series since the T20 World Cup. Bangladesh exited from the Super Eight while Pakistan couldn’t even reach that stage, leaving both sets of fans disappointed with their performances. This Test series will be a chance to make amends. Luckily, there has been a considerable gap from the World Cup, which will allow the teams to play with a fresh perspective.
Given their record, Pakistan are the clear favourites. Their captain Shan Masood has a new red-ball coach in Jason Gillespie. It is an interesting combination as they can look back at their respective recent county stints to bring stability to Pakistan’s Test team. Barring Aamer Jamal, Pakistan have all first-choice players available. In fact, they named their XI two days before the Test. They are going with an all-pace attack on this Rawalpindi pitch, while Saim Ayub has been given another chance as an opener.
Bangladesh faced a different type of challenge in the lead-up to the series. They were not able to train in Dhaka, so the BCB took up PCB’s invitation to train for three extra days in Lahore before three more sessions in Rawalpindi. While Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusinghe is satisfied with his team’s preparation, he remained cautious about their batting, which has been on a downward swing for the last 12 months.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto hasn’t been in form, while Litton Das, whom Masood called his favorite batter in the Bangladesh side, has also been struggling for a long time. That leaves senior batters Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque with a lot of responsibility.
Pakistan, though, will not take Bangladesh lightly as the visitors’ in-form weapon is their pace attack. It may be short on experience but the likes of Khaled Ahmed and Shoriful Islam have done well with the new ball. Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana are also quick and energetic. So it will be an interesting battle against the home batters.
PAK vs BAN In the Spotlight : Naseem Shah and Najmul Hossain Shanto
PAK vs BAN Vital Stats that matters Bangladesh still to beat Pakistan
- Bangladesh are yet to win a Test against Pakistan.
- There are four players from the Bangladesh side that played their last Test in Pakistan, coincidentally also in Rawalpindi, in 2020.
- Among the current players, Shakib (508) has scored the most runs in Bangladesh-Pakistan Tests, while Taijul Islam (22), who is unlikely to play, has taken the most wickets.
PAK vs BAN Probable Playing XIs
Pakistan:
Pakistan announced their playing XI a couple of days before the commencement of the Test. They picked four fast bowlers in the side, while all-rounder Salman Ali Agha will operate as the lone spinner. There is a fine mix of youth and experience in the playing XI and it adds to the intrigue around the series.
Pakistan Playing XI
Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk.), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shehzad, Mohammad Ali.
Bangladesh:
Bangladesh will have experienced campaigners like Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim on their side against Pakistan. While Shakib played only the second Test against Sri Lanka, Mushfiqur missed the entire series due to a thumb injury.
Their presence will give Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto a lot of experience to rely on if needed. Spin has been Bangladesh’s strength over the years but it will be interesting to see if they field a pace-heavy line-up after assessing Pakistan’s team combination. Meanwhile, Mahmudul Hasan Joy suffered a groin injury and Shadman Islam is expected to replace him as the opener alongside Zakir Hasan.
Bangladesh Predicted XI
Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk.), Taijul Islam, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Syed Khaled Ahmed.
Pakistan vs Bangladesh Fantasy XI : Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah
PAK vs BAN Match Prediction
Pakistan have a strong 70% chance of winning the first Test match compared to Bangladesh’s 10%. There is a 20% probability that the match end in a draw due to rain and other issues.
Who will win the toss – Pakistan
Who will win the match – Pakistan
Top Batter (Runs Scored) – Babar Azam (Pakistan), Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh)
Top Bowler (Wickets taken) – Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan), Shoriful Islam (Bangladesh)
Player of the Match – Babar Azam (Pakistan)