BAN vs PAK 2026, BAN vs PAK 1st Test Match Preview
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This time round, the collection takes place at an odd, off-kilter time. Neither aspect has performed any Test cricket in six months, with Bangladesh’s final collection an easy house wipeout of Ireland. Pakistan hosted South Africa in October, splitting the 2 Tests down the center. This is the one red-ball worldwide cricket Pakistan have performed in 14 months.
Pakistan have crammed that point going all in on T20 cricket, making ready for the current T20 World Cup, earlier than throwing themselves right into a full PSL season. There will likely be simply 4 days between the top of the PSL and the primary day in Mirpur.
Bangladesh, in the meantime, has endured a extra sweeping time. They refused to journey to India for the T20 World Cup and that has meant their solely worldwide cricket all 12 months was an ODI collection towards Pakistan and New Zealand’s go to for a white-ball collection [ODIs and T20Is]. Wins in all three imply they’ve an ideal file in worldwide collection in 2026 – a file that Pakistan will hope to place to a stern check than they managed two years in the past.
In 2024, Bangladesh’s seam assault outshone Pakistan’s, with Hasan Mahmud and Taskin Ahmed’s motion, and Nahid Rana’s fast tempo, inflicting extra hassle than their Pakistani counterparts. If something, Rana is in even higher type, reducing Pakistan down within the sides’ ODI collection, earlier than shining within the current PSL ultimate for Zalmi, for which the BCB granted him particular permission. Bangladesh’s four-man tempo assault additionally contains Shoriful Islam and Ebadot Hossain, alongside Rana and Taskin, and will pose its personal challenges towards Pakistan.
Pakistan could hope the pitches permit a spin-bowling face-off as a substitute. Soon after Bangladesh’s humbling of Pakistan in that 2024 collection, Pakistan volte-faced from enjoying an all-seam assault within the first Test. Instead, their pitches assisted spin from ball one. To exploit that, Sajid Khan and Noman Ali have run riot on accommodating surfaces. If Mirpur affords help for the spinners, Pakistan will really feel assured they’ve the personnel to go toe-to-toe with the hosts.
Form information
Bangladesh: WWLDW (final 5 accomplished matches, most up-to-date first) Pakistan: LWLWL
In the highlight
Team information
Bangladesh are possible to usher in Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana rather than Khaled Ahmed and Hasan Murad, respectively. Shoriful Islam’s white-ball type would put strain on Ebadot Hossain’s place.
Bangladesh (possible): 1 Mahmudul Hasan Joy, 2 Shadman Islam, 3 Mominul Haque, 4 Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), 5 Mushfiqur Rahim, 6 Litton Das (wk), 7 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 8 Taijul Islam, 9 Taskin Ahmed, 10 Shoriful Islam, 11 Nahid Rana
Pakistan have been dealt a blow with Babar Azam* dominated out of the opening Test as a consequence of a left knee damage. His absence leaves a gap which is prone to be crammed in by a debutant. The guests will possible go in with two spinners in Sajid and Noman, which leaves them a selection of two of 4 quick bowlers. With Imam-ul-Haq again within the aspect, Pakistan are anticipated at hand a debut to one among Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal on the high of the order.
Pakistan: 1 Imam-ul-Haq, 2 Abdullah Fazal/Azan Awais, 3 Shan Masood (capt), 4 Saud Shakeel, 5 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 6 Salman Ali Agha, 7 Amad Butt, 8 Shaheen Afridi, 9 Noman Ali, 10 Khurram Shahzad/Hasan Ali, 11 Sajid Khan
Pitch and situations
There was a patch of grass on the Mirpur floor on the eve of the Test. Mirpur has tried to change its repute as a spin haven within the wake of Bangladesh’s improved tempo bowling reserves of late, and this Test may very well be an extension to this period, given both sides’s respective quick bowling. Rain is predicted on the opening day, though the climate ought to clear up for the remainder of the sport.
Stats and trivia
- Bangladesh have by no means defeated Pakistan in a house Test match. However, when the edges final met in Pakistan, Bangladesh swept the board 2-0, securing their most well-known Test collection victory.
- Noman wants three extra wickets to finish 100 Test dismissals. He would grow to be the ninth Pakistani to achieve that milestone
- Of Bangladesh’s 16 Test wins at house, greater than half (9) have come at this venue.
Quotes
“The best part is, Taskin is always keen to play Test cricket. But due to fitness, injury and workload management, we don’t include him in the format often. We held a long discussion with our trainer and physio, after which we decided that he can be included in the Test squad. He bowled really well in the West Indies. Taskin makes life easy for the captain. We always get extra effort from him.”
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto on Taskin Ahmed’s return to the Test squad for the primary time since 2024
*The article was up to date after Babar Azam was dominated out of the Test
Danyal Rasool is ESPNcricinfo’s Pakistan correspondent. @Danny61000
