ISLAMABAD: Seasoned batter Babar Azam has been ruled out of the first Test against Bangladesh due to a knee injury.
He felt discomfort in the left knee during a practice session. Pakistan on Friday (today) start their ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 campaign, facing against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.
The second and final Test will be played at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium from May 16 to 20. Both matches carry significant importance in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle, with both teams eager to improve their standing in the points table.
Pakistan currently occupy the fifth position in the WTC standings following their home series against South Africa last October. The Proteas won the opening Test by 93 runs before Pakistan bounced back strongly to clinch the second Test by eight wickets. Bangladesh, meanwhile, are placed eighth after suffering a 1-0 series defeat against Sri Lanka in June last year.
History strongly favours Pakistan in the longest format. Out of 15 Tests played between the two sides, Pakistan have emerged victorious on 12 occasions, while Bangladesh have won two matches, and one Test ended in a draw. Pakistan also enjoyed a successful tour of Bangladesh in 2021, securing a comprehensive 2-0 series victory.
Despite the impressive head-to-head record, Pakistan captain Shan Masood insisted his side is fully aware of the challenges posed by Bangladesh in home conditions.“We are fully focused on this series and the challenge of playing Bangladesh in their own conditions. Bangladesh are a very competitive side with quality in all departments, and we are looking forward to testing ourselves against them,” Shan said during the pre-series press conference.
The skipper expressed confidence in the balance and versatility of the squad selected for the demanding tour.“We have selected a well-balanced squad that can perform in different 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 management group, many of whom have shared dressing rooms with the current players in the past.“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.”
Emphasising the traditional formula for success in Test cricket, the Pakistan captain said taking 20 wickets would remain central to the team’s plans.“In Test cricket, taking 20 wickets remains the key to success. We have confidence in our bowling attack and the team combination. If we perform well collectively in batting, bowling and fielding, we can achieve good results in this series.”
Pakistan’s 16-member squad blends experience with youth, featuring the likes of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali and Sajid Khan alongside emerging names including Abdullah Fazal, Azan Awais and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori.
The touring side will rely heavily on its pace-spin combination, with experienced campaigners Mohammad Abbas, Noman Ali and Khurram Shahzad expected to play key roles on conditions likely to assist both seamers and spinners.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, are expected to rely heavily on their pace arsenal, with the Dhaka pitch showing signs of offering assistance to the fast bowlers. The hosts are likely to field a balanced attack spearheaded by Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam and rising speedster Nahid Rana, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam are expected to shoulder the spin responsibilities.
Pakistan, on the other hand, may hand a debut cap to either Abdullah Fazal or Azan Awais, two promising top-order batsmen who piled up impressive runs in the domestic circuit and forced their way into national contention through consistent performances. Their inclusion could provide fresh energy and depth to Pakistan’s batting line-up ahead of the crucial World Test Championship assignment.
Likely Bangladesh XI: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam and Nahid Rana.
Pakistan squad: Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
