Pakistan have decided to chase first-innings wickets rather than runs, Shan Masood choosing to field after winning the toss in steamy Dhaka, the opener to this two-match World Test Championship series.
“Looks a bit green, so we’ll have a go with the new ball,” Masood told the host broadcaster, the Pakistan captain sounding quietly pleased with what he had seen under the morning sun. Asked if the decision was straightforward, he smiled: “It helps when the bowlers are all staring at you.”
Pakistan’s attack is a familiar pace trio: Shaheen Shah Afridi with the new ball, Hasan Ali in support and the always nagging Mohammad Abbas. Sajid Khan, the sole specialist spinner in the squad, steps aside, while Noman Ali’s left-arm fingers cover the slow-bowling brief.
More intrigue sits at the top of the order. Teenage left-hander Azan Awais debuts alongside the returning Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Fazal pencilled in at three. Pakistan had planned to field Babar Azam, but a sore left knee ruled him out late on Thursday, forcing a shuffle nobody really wanted. Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan shifts down to six, Saud Shakeel and Salman Agha filling the middle.
Bangladesh mirror Pakistan’s three-seamer set-up, a statement in itself at the Shere Bangla. Nahid Rana keeps his place, Taskin Ahmed is back in whites for the first time since late 2024, and Ebadot Hossain completes the pace trio. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto explained the thinking simply enough: “There’s something in it early — then our spinners can take over later.”
The hosts have fond memories of this match-up, a 2-0 win in Rawalpindi in August 2024 still fresh. Both teams, though, have played only two Tests in the current WTC cycle, so there is more rust than rhythm about the encounter.
Former Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha, on commentary duty, offered a measured view: “First hour is crucial. If Bangladesh are two down at lunch they’ll be happy; if Pakistan haven’t struck, they might regret bowling.”
Teams
Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Ebadot Hossain.
Pakistan: Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Fazal, Shan Masood (capt), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Noman Ali, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas.
Play starts 0930 local. First-day temperatures are expected in the mid-thirties, and the pitch, for now, wears a thin green coat that both attacks are keen to exploit.
