Pakistan head into bangladesh vs pakistan with Shan Masood backing his bowling attack before the first Test in Mirpur on Friday. The Pakistan captain said the side is focused on the challenge of playing Bangladesh in their own conditions after last August’s whitewash at home.
Masood Trusts Pakistan's Attack
Masood said Pakistan has chosen a balanced squad for the two-match series and believes it can handle seam-friendly and spin-friendly conditions. “We are fully focused on this series and the challenge of playing Bangladesh in their own conditions.”
He added that the bowlers remain central to Pakistan’s hopes. “In Test cricket, taking 20 wickets remains the key to success.”
Pakistan are also trying to answer a recent setback against the same opponent. Bangladesh whitewashed them on home soil in August 2024, a result that still hangs over this trip even after Pakistan won the two-match series in Rawalpindi by 10 wickets and six wickets.
Bangladesh Stack Their Pace Attack
Najmul Hossain Shanto set a similar target for Bangladesh, saying big first-innings runs are needed to give the pace attack a platform to take 20 wickets. He also said Bangladesh's fast bowlers have a slight edge over Pakistan’s attack.
Bangladesh have added Tanzid Hasan Tamim to strengthen the batting and brought Taskin Ahmed back from injury to bolster the pace unit. That leaves both teams with clear selection pressure going into the opener, especially with Pakistan still managing Babar Azam’s fitness after Thursday’s practice session and a scan.
Masood said the squad gives Pakistan options in different conditions, and he tied that directly to execution across all three disciplines. “We have confidence in our bowling attack and the team combination. If we perform well collectively in batting, bowling and fielding, we can achieve good results in this series.”
The first Test gives Pakistan an immediate chance to reset the tone of the tour, but it also puts their seamers and balance under the kind of scrutiny that comes with a two-match series. If the attack does not take 20 wickets, the opening result can tilt the whole trip quickly.
Babar Azam's Thursday Scan
Babar Azam's fitness remained the most practical selection issue on Thursday after he underwent a scan following Pakistan’s practice session. His availability for the series opener had not been settled that day, which keeps Pakistan’s top-order picture from being fully clear before the first ball in Mirpur.
