Pakistan vs Bangladesh: A Chance for Redemption in Rawalpindi Test

Pakistan and Bangladesh, both languishing in the lower half of the World Test Championship table, are eager to redeem themselves following disappointing T20 World Cup performances. This series marks their return to the five-day format after a considerable break, offering a fresh start.

Pakistan, currently two places above Bangladesh in the rankings, are favoured to win. Their captain, Shan Masood, has a new red-ball coach in Jason Gillespie, a pairing that could bring stability to the Test side. The team is nearly at full strength, with all first-choice players available except for Aamer Jamal. Notably, Pakistan named their starting XI two days before the Test, opting for an all-pace attack on the Rawalpindi pitch. Saim Ayub has also been given another opportunity to open the batting.

Bangladesh faces a different set of challenges, having been unable to train in Dhaka due to the weather. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) accepted an invitation from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to train for an extra three days in Lahore, followed by further practice sessions in Rawalpindi. While coach Chandika Hathurusinghe is content with his team's preparation, he remains cautious about their batting, which has struggled in recent months.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who scored 440 Test runs in 2023, has been out of form. Litton Das, Masood’s favourite Bangladesh batter, has also been struggling. The burden of scoring runs falls heavily on senior players like Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mominul Haque.

Despite their recent struggles, Bangladesh’s pace attack poses a significant threat. While lacking experience, bowlers like Khaled Ahmed and Shoriful Islam have impressed with the new ball. Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana are also quick and energetic, making for an intriguing battle against the home batters.

One player to watch is Pakistan's Naseem Shah. His recent performance in a four-day match against Bangladesh A has shown signs of him regaining the form that made him a standout bowler in 2023. He’ll be a major threat to Bangladesh, particularly after his impressive debut hat-trick against them on their previous tour of Pakistan.

Shanto, meanwhile, faces a crucial test of his leadership and batting ability. He will need to find his form and provide a solid start for Bangladesh if they are to challenge Pakistan.

The team news sees Shadman Islam potentially replacing the injured opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy for Bangladesh. Mushfiqur Rahim returns to the Test side after missing the series against Sri Lanka.

The Rawalpindi pitch, with its slight covering of grass, is expected to favour the batters. Recent Test matches at the venue have been high-scoring, with teams consistently posting large totals. However, the presence of rain throughout the five days could significantly impact the match.

Bangladesh is still searching for its first Test victory against Pakistan. Shakib Al Hasan leads the current Bangladesh team in Test runs against Pakistan with 508, while Taijul Islam, who is unlikely to play, has the most wickets (22).

The upcoming series promises an exciting clash between two teams hungry for success.

“We raise our hands to say that we didn't win in Australia. But we did a lot of things right, a lot of things that we want to take forward with us. We made some mistakes that cost us the Melbourne and Sydney Tests but as a team, we are heading in the right direction,” said Masood, highlighting Pakistan’s focus on building momentum.

"We had a good series against New Zealand but not a good time against Sri Lanka. We have a very good opportunity this time playing against Pakistan. We have a balanced side. We hope to play good cricket here," commented Shanto, expressing Bangladesh’s optimism.

This first Test in Rawalpindi is set to be a crucial battle, not just for bragging rights but also for valuable points in the World Test Championship.