Pakistan welcome Bangladesh for a two-match Test series that gets underway in Rawalpindi and counts towards the World Test Championship. James Richardson previews.
Pakistan v Bangladesh – First Test
21-25 August 2024
Rawalpindi International Stadium
Bangladesh have never beaten Pakistan in Test cricket and this will be their third trip to the nation for engagements in the format.
Rawalpindi has played host to one previous Test between the nations with Pakistan recording an innings win in that match.
To Win Match
Pakistan 1/3 | Draw 32/10 | Bangladesh 10/1
Pakistan need to be focused on their World Test Championship cause here and avoid being complacent against a dangerous side.
The batters will have a job to do as they are expected to outpower Bangladesh in that department in particular.
Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood have been the leading run-getters for Pakistan in Test cricket recently in contrasting style and should lead the way for the hosts again.
Aamer Jamal has been the unsung hero of the Pakistan attack in Test cricket in the last year taking more than double the number of scalps than his nearest competition in this team and he could make the most of conditions in Rawalpindi.
Bangladesh could be without opening batter Mahmudul Hasan Joy for both Tests which leaves them a little thin in the top order.
Tigers stalwart Mominul Haque will be asked to carry the early effort against Pakistan’s lethal new ball attack but he has at least been in decent touch over the last year.
Mehidy Hasan’s lower-order heroics against Sri Lanka gave his team some respectability and he actually comes into this series as their second-highest runscorer in the last 12 months.
Hasan’s bowling might only be effective later in the Test and quick bowlers like Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam will have a job to do to peg back Pakistan.
Verdict: Pakistan 1/3
Pakistan should have the power on home soil.
