Shan Masood backed Pakistan’s bowling attack ahead of pak vs ban, saying the visitors are fully focused on the first Test in Mirpur on Friday. Pakistan head into the two-match series trying to answer a 2024 whitewash at home, where Bangladesh won in Rawalpindi by 10 wickets and six wickets.
Masood backs Pakistan attack
Masood said Pakistan have confidence in their bowling attack and the team combination after selecting what he called a well-balanced squad. He pointed to experience in both seam-friendly and spin-friendly conditions, then narrowed the task to the standard that decides Test matches: taking 20 wickets.
“We are fully focused on this series and the challenge of playing Bangladesh in their own conditions.”
“We have selected a well-balanced squad that can perform in different conditions. The players have experience of playing in seam-friendly as well as spin-friendly environments, so we are confident about the options available to us.”
“In Test cricket, taking 20 wickets remains the key to success.”
“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.”
Shanto wants big totals
Najmul Hossain Shanto set the tone for Bangladesh by asking for runs first. He said the important thing is scoring runs, and set a practical target of 400 in 80 overs while adding that he has no problem if a team takes 120 overs to score.
“The important thing is scoring runs. If we score 400 in 80 overs, no problem. If someone takes 120 overs, I also have no problem.”
Shanto also said Bangladesh’s fast bowlers hold a slight edge over Pakistan’s attack, a claim sharpened by the return of Taskin Ahmed from injury and the inclusion of attacking opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim in the batting lineup. That leaves the opening Test shaped by two different plans: Pakistan leaning on a balanced bowling unit, Bangladesh leaning on early runs and pace pressure.
Babar Azam scan leaves one issue
One selection issue still hangs over Pakistan. Babar Azam underwent a scan after Thursday’s practice session, and his fitness for the series opener was yet to be settled.
That uncertainty sits beside the bigger stakes from August 2024, when Bangladesh swept Pakistan 2-0 in Rawalpindi. Friday’s first Test in Mirpur gives Pakistan an immediate chance to answer that result, while Bangladesh will try to build on a home formula that already worked against them.
For Pakistan, the assignment is direct: get through Bangladesh’s conditions, back the bowling attack Masood trusts, and leave Mirpur with a better start than the one they produced last time these teams met.
