DHAKA, Bangladesh: Pakistan will begin their two-match Test series against Bangladesh on Friday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, with both teams looking to strengthen their positions in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 standings.
The opening Test will run from May 8 to 12, while the second match will be played at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium from May 16 to 20.
The match in Dhaka will start at 9:00am Pakistan Standard Time.
Pakistan to take on Bangladesh in first Test commencing Friday
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— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) May 7, 2026
Pakistan currently sit fifth in the World Test Championship table after drawing their two-match home series against South Africa last October.
South Africa won the opening Test by 93 runs before Pakistan levelled the series with an eight-wicket victory in the second match.
Bangladesh are placed eighth after losing their two-Test series against Sri Lanka 1-0 in June last year.
Pakistan eye strong start
Pakistan captain Shan Masood said his side was fully focused on the challenge of playing in Bangladesh’s conditions.
“We are fully focused on this series and the challenge of playing Bangladesh in their own conditions,” Shan said during the pre-series press conference.
Pakistan captain Shan Masood’s pre-series press conference | Pakistan vs Bangladesh Tests#BANvPAK pic.twitter.com/n5WeFcwLmh
— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) May 7, 2026
“Bangladesh are a very competitive side with quality in all departments and we are looking forward to testing ourselves against them.”
He said Pakistan had selected a balanced squad capable of adapting to different playing 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 highlighted the importance of familiarity within the coaching group.
“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’s historical advantage
Pakistan last toured Bangladesh for a Test series in November and December 2021, winning the two-match series 2-0.
Overall, the two teams have played 15 Test matches against each other.
Pakistan have won 12, Bangladesh have won two and one match ended in a draw.
Pakistan’s squad for the series includes experienced players such as Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi, alongside younger names including Abdullah Fazal and Azan Awais.
The 16-member squad is led by Shan Masood and also includes Amad Butt, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha and Saud Shakeel.
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.
