Bangladesh look to arrest decline in form in Test series against Pakistan

Overview

Bangladesh vs Pakistan, first Test
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram
November 26-30, 10:00 local

Bangladesh will hope to come up with a much better showing in the longest format after being whitewashed 3-0 by the visitors in the T20 leg. They will be without experienced campaigners Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmud Ullah, who recently announced his retirement from the longest format. The onus now very much will be on the younger players to prove their mettle against a Pakistan side who are currently enjoying a rich vein of form. They could field as many as three debutants – Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Yasir Ali and Rajaur Rahman Raja in the match.

Pakistan will welcome the return of Imam-ul-Haq in the Test set-up once again but will enjoy having a well-settled batting order. Hasan Ali will partner Shaheen Afridi in the pace department. The selection of spinners will also be interesting to see with Sajid Khan likely to pair up with Nauman Ali. Faheem Ashraf will lend balance to the side.

Remember the last time

The two sides last faced off in a Test series in 2015 in Bangladesh. The visitors ended up winning the series with a 1-0 margin.

After a draw in the opening Test on a batting paradise in Khulna, Pakistan dominated the following match in Dhaka. Azhar Ali scored a mammoth double ton as Pakistan posted a total of 557/8.

They then bowled out Bangladesh for 207 before scoring 195/6 declared and setting the hosts a target of 550. Bangladesh crumbled under pressure and would be skittled out for 221.

What they said

Mominul Haque (Bangladesh captain): "It is a challenge for a young captain like me to head into the new WTC cycle with a young team. We have always required senior players on the Test side. Shakib bhai, Tamim bhai and Taskin are regular players. But it is a continuous process. We have to move on. We cannot be disappointed all the time. I firmly believe it is a huge opportunity for the younger players."