Pakistan vs Bangladesh Test Series Preview
Pakistan will host Bangladesh for a two match test series, starting August 21. The series marks the start of Pakistan’s action-packed season, with the team playing nine test matches over the next four to five months.
With the first WTC final berth in mind, team Pakistan is hoping for a good show in its red-ball games, and they anticipate their star batter Babar Azam to perform at his best.
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Babar Azam’s role in Pakistan’s test team
The former skipper has an average of 45.85 in test cricket and is the third-ranked batter in the world. He is the only Pakistani player in top 10.
Pakistan vs Bangladesh Test Series Preview : Babar’s home average is nothing short of extraordinary, at 71 after 23 innings, and the team expects him to continue in this vein.
However, the right-arm batter faced a dip in his performance in last one year, scoring only 253 runs in 11 innings since 2023.
It will be critical for the team to win this series and maintain a positive momentum to give themselves a chance to secure a place in WTC 2025 final. Babar Azam’s role will remain big in Pakistan’s success in test cricket.
Pakistan ranks sixth in the ICC test rankings and in same place in WTC 2023-25 standings, with two wins and three losses in five matches. While Bangladesh is ranked ninth in the ICC test rankings, and eighth in WTC standings.
Shan Masood will be leading team Pakistan in the series against Bangladesh. Both test matches will be played at Rawalpindi cricket stadium in Rawalpindi.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already announced their playing 11 for the first test. They have added experienced batters, four fast bowlers and no specialist spinner to the team.
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Pakistan playing 11 for 1st Test against Bangladesh
Batters: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam
Wicketkeeper: Mohammad Rizwan
All-rounder: Salman Ali Agha
Bowlers: Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad
