Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first against Bangladesh in the opening Test of the two-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on Friday.
The match marks the beginning of both teams’ campaign in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle. Pakistan currently sit fifth in the WTC standings with 12 points from two matches, while Bangladesh are placed eighth after registering one draw and one defeat.
Pakistan handed Test debuts to youngsters Abdullah Fazal and Azan Awais, while former captain Babar Azam was ruled out of the match due to a left knee injury.
The second and final Test of the series is scheduled to be played at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium from May 16 to 20.
Bangladesh entered the series with confidence after securing a historic 2-0 Test series victory over Pakistan in August 2024 — their first-ever away Test series win against the Green Shirts.
Pakistan Playing XI: Imam-ul-Haq, Azan Awais, Abdullah Fazal, Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Salman Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Noman Ali, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas.
Bangladesh Playing XI: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wicketkeeper), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Ebadot Hossain.