Bangladesh kicks off their tour of Pakistan in Rawalpindi after the first test was moved from Karachi to Rawalpindi due to construction work not being completed at the National Stadium. This will also be the first time since April 2020 that Bangladesh are travelling to Pakistan, which was called off due to the COVID-pandemic. Incidentally, that match was also played at Rawalpindi, which Pakistan comfortably won thanks to Shan Masood and Babar Azam’s twin centuries and Naseem Shah’s bowling prowess.
Ahead of the two Asian powerhouses clashing, here’s our preview and predictions of the Pakistan vs Bangladesh 1st Test.
The first of the two test series between Pakistan and Bangladesh takes place on the quick Rawalpindi pitch, with hosts Pakistan looking to kick off a long home season against their Asian counterparts.
Bangladesh will bank a lot of two of their most experienced cricketers their country has produced, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim. The two veterans will play a key role for Bangladesh, especially with the bat, given the inexperience of the Bangladesh squad. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Litton Das will also be crucial for the visitors while the bowling attack is relatively young and inexperienced apart from Taijul Islam and Taskin Ahmed.
Pakistan on the other hand have announced their playing XI which will boast of an all-pace attack, going in without a specialist spinner which is only the second time in almost three decades that they will play a home test without a main spinner.. Naseem Shah returns to partner Shaheen Shah Afridi. The hosts’ move highlights a possible quick and bouncy strip at Rawalpindi, which the hosts would hope suits their pace attack. Pakistan have plenty of experience and talent in the batting department as well with the exciting Abudullah Shafique at the top of the order with captain Sham Masood and former-captain Babar Azam.
The Rawalpindi pitch is one which will provide a lot of assistance to the pace bowlers and given the attack Pakistan have at disposal, the hosts are the favourites to start the series on a strong note.
Fantasy XI: Shan Masood, Babar Azam, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das, Abdullah Shafique, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Nassem Shah, Taskin Ahmed
Venue: Rawalpindi
Winner Prediction: Pakistan
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