DHAKA: Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl against Bangladesh as the first Test of the two-match series began at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on Friday, with both sides aiming for an early boost in the ICC World Test Championship standings.
The visitors were without batsman Babar Azam, ruled out with a left knee injury, and handed Test debuts to top-order batsmen Abdullah Fazal and Azan Awais.
Veteran seamer Mohammad Abbas returned to the XI alongside Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali, with Noman Ali the sole specialist spinner.
For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed returned to Test cricket for the first time since December 2024 after being sidelined because of injury.
Nahid Rana and Ebadot Hossain complete the pace attack, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam will handle the spin duties.
The opening Test, running from May 8 to 12, marks the start of both teams’ campaigns to improve their positions in the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 standings.
Pakistan currently sits fifth in the standings after drawing their previous home series against South Africa last October. South Africa won the first Test by 93 runs before Pakistan bounced back with an eight-wicket victory in the second match.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, is placed eighth after losing their two-match Test series against Sri Lanka 1-0 in June last year.
Pakistan captain Shan Masood said ahead of the match that his side was prepared for the challenge of playing in Bangladeshi conditions.
“We are fully focused on this series and the challenge of playing Bangladesh in their own conditions,” Shan said during the pre-match press conference.
“Bangladesh is a very competitive side with quality in all departments, and we are looking forward to testing ourselves against them.”
He said Pakistan had assembled a balanced squad capable of adapting to varying conditions.
“The players have experience of playing in seam-friendly as well as spin-friendly environments, so we are confident about the options available to us,” he said.
Shan also stressed the importance of continuity within the coaching staff.
“The management group consists of people we have played alongside for many years. They understand the players well, and that familiarity helps create a positive environment within the side,” he said.
“In Test cricket, taking 20 wickets remains the key to success. We have confidence in our bowling attack and the team combination.”
Pakistan entered the series with a strong historical record against Bangladesh. The two sides have played 15 Tests, with Pakistan winning 12, Bangladesh winning two, and one match ending in a draw.
Pakistan last toured Bangladesh for a Test series in late 2021, winning the two-match series 2-0.
Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed is serving as head coach for the tour, with former internationals Asad Shafiq and Umar Gul part of the coaching staff.
The second Test of the series will be played at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium from May 16 to 20.
Bangladesh: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Nahid Rana.
Pakistan: Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Fazal, Shan Masood (capt), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Noman Ali, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas.
