Bangladesh’s players have seen this picture before. Babar Azam, nursing a left-knee problem last week, has now been passed fit for tomorrow’s second Test in Sylhet. The home side already lead the two-match series 1-0 after the win in Mirpur, and senior wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim believes they still hold the tactical edge.
“I think the Pakistan team is obviously struggling in Tests, ODIs and T20Is but we won [in Dhaka] because we played really well,” Mushfiqur said during training on Thursday. “We were consistent against them. We will try to play in the same way. We have to see how much we get to play in this Test match; it will be a challenge to find a result in this game.”
Babar’s previous visit ended quietly – just 64 runs across four innings as Bangladesh swept Pakistan 2-0 in Rawalpindi in 2024. Nahid Rana, who ripped out 5 for 40 in Dhaka last week, dismissed him twice in that earlier series. That history feeds Bangladesh’s confidence.
“I am sure [Babar’s] presence will be a boost for the Pakistan team, especially because he is a world-class cricketer. But he played in the two Tests when we beat them in Pakistan, still we beat them. We know where to attack him, how to plan against him. We are hopeful of executing those plans. If we can do that, we can definitely put him and the team under pressure.”
Weather, though, could dictate tempo. Sylhet in May is rarely dry; showers are forecast throughout the match. Mushfiqur’s approach is pragmatic.
“We are playing in the rainy season. We are lucky that we got a result in Mirpur. Here too, the drainage system is world-class. We played the BCL first-class matches here recently. It rained overnight but we got a scheduled start on all four days. I think it will be on and off here, so if the rain stays away, we might even get a result here.
“We knew before the Test series started that it will be on and off in both Dhaka and Sylhet. Being a professional cricketer, I feel this is our daily routine. We don’t have to overthink anything, but make sure we switch on and off at the right times. We have to switched on when we have work to do, and then when we are off, we can be completely off.”
Bangladesh’s red-ball set-up has quietly matured. Since 2023 they have played more often, allowing a core of eight regulars to settle. Mushfiqur, who struck 71 and 22 in Mirpur, sees the difference.
“We have had some great individual cricketers in our Test side in the past. The team now is more consistent than ever. We used to play three Tests per year before, so it makes favourable results quite difficult if it becomes such a lengthy process. It is comparatively easier now, because we are sometimes playing eight or ten Tests per year. We have a group of experienced batters. We have more consistent performers now, around seven or eight, so that obviously makes a team better.”
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto’s contribution is central. “Shanto is batting really well. I think his biggest plus is that he takes leadership positively. He leads by example, so we are all bound to follow him. I think he is a great leader. I am hopeful that he continues to bat in this consistent way, in Tests and other formats too,” Mushfiqur added.
With a series win already within grasp, Bangladesh’s focus is straightforward: execute familiar plans, hope the rain eases, and, if chances appear, keep Babar quiet once more.
