Pak vs Ban: First test live from Rawalpindi cricket stadium

RAWALPINDI: The first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh (Pak vs Ban) will take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday (tomorrow), at 10:00 am.

Shan Masood will lead the Pakistani side, which includes a strong pace attack featuring Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, and Mohammad Ali.

The selection of players aligns with the expected pitch conditions at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, which favours both, fast bowling and batting.

Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha were selected for spin duties, with both also expected to strengthen the middle order alongside captain Shan Masood and Babar Azam.

Meanwhile, Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub will open the innings, while Mohammad Rizwan will serve as wicketkeeper.

Read more: Pak-Bangladesh test series: Amir Jamal released from national squad

Bangladesh team will be led by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. The Bengal squad consists of Khaled Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud, and Shoriful Islam for the first Test pace attack. Taskin Ahmed will join for squad for the second Test.

The Bangladeshi squad also includes spin-bowling all-rounders Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

The RCS pitch is expected to favour fast bowlers, which aligns with both teams’ choices of pace-heavy lineups. However, the conditions will also support batting, ensuring a balanced contest between bat and ball.

Pakistan has a strong record against Bangladesh in Test cricket, winning 12 of their 13 matches. Bangladesh has been inconsistent in Test matches, struggling in difficult conditions and failing to score more than 200 runs in five of their last eight innings.

Read more: PCB reveals Pakistan’s playing XI for 1st test against Bangladesh

The likely playing XIs for the Pak vs Ban match are:

Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (captain), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, and Mohammad Ali.

Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (wicketkeeper), Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Shoriful Islam, and Hasan Mahmud.