Pakistan were due to face Bangladesh in the first Test of a two-match series in Mirpur on Friday, with captain Shan Masood saying his side were fully focused on the challenge of playing in Bangladesh’s own conditions.
The matchup carries real weight because Bangladesh whitewashed Pakistan on home soil in August 2024, winning the two Tests in Rawalpindi by 10 wickets and six wickets. Masood said Pakistan had selected a well-balanced squad that could handle different conditions and stressed that Test cricket is won by taking 20 wickets. He added that he had confidence in Pakistan’s bowling attack and the team combination if the side performed well across batting, bowling and fielding.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto framed the task in simple terms: score heavily enough to let the pace attack attack from the front. He said Bangladesh needed big first-innings totals, adding that 400 in 80 overs would be fine, even if it took 120 overs to get there. Shanto also said Bangladesh’s fast bowlers held a slight edge over Pakistan’s attack.
Both teams have leaned into that pace-versus-pace contest. Bangladesh have added Tanzid Hasan Tamim to strengthen the batting and brought back Taskin Ahmed from injury to bolster the quicks, while Pakistan are relying on a group that includes Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan. Pakistan were also drawing confidence from Babar Azam’s form in the recent HBL Pakistan Super League 2026, though his fitness for the opener had not been confirmed on Thursday after he underwent a scan following practice.
That uncertainty gives the series an early edge. Pakistan arrive with memories of being swept in August 2024, Bangladesh have made clear they want first-innings runs to set up their attack, and Friday’s opening Test will quickly show whether Masood’s balance and Shanto’s batting plan are enough to change the shape of the rematch.
