New era for Bangladesh and Pakistan ahead of first Test

Bangladesh will be hoping hope to overturn their no-win record against Pakistan

Bangladesh is starting a two-Test cricket series in Pakistan this week, but their preparations have been disrupted by political turmoil in their home country.

Due to the unrest that led to the removal of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the team’s foreign coaches had to stay indoors, following safety guidelines from their embassies. Large protests also prevented the team from practicing together.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is in chaos too, as its president, Nazmul Hassan, fled the country because of his connection to Hasina.

Cricket and politics are closely linked in Bangladesh, but top allrounder Shakib Al Hasan, who was a member of the now-dissolved parliament for Hasina’s party, has been allowed to play in the Pakistan series by the interim government.

“It was difficult to practice because of the situation,” said spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed.

To help the team, the Pakistan Cricket Board invited Bangladesh to arrive four days early to make up for their lack of preparation.

A second-string Bangladesh team, including six national team players, has been playing practice games in Islamabad since August 10.

However, Bangladesh faces more challenges. In-form opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy is out of the first Test due to a groin injury, though senior batter Mushfiqur Rahim is expected to recover from a finger injury in time.

Bangladesh will try to end their losing streak against Pakistan, having lost 12 of their 13 previous Tests, with one ending in a draw.

This two-match Test series is part of the World Test Championship’s third cycle. Currently, Pakistan is sixth in the nine-team table, while Bangladesh is eighth.

The second Test, originally scheduled in Karachi but moved to Rawalpindi due to construction, will start on August 30.

After a 3-0 loss in Australia earlier this year, Pakistan hired former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie as their Test coach, and Adelaide groundsman Damien Hough to improve the pitches.

Pakistan plans to go into the Test with an all-pace bowling attack, a strategy they last used five years ago against Sri Lanka at the same venue. They released their only spinner, Abrar Ahmed, from the squad.

On the other hand, Bangladesh will rely on spin bowlers Shakib Al Hasan (237 wickets), Taijul Islam (195), and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (164).

Pakistan captain Shan Masood does not believe Bangladesh is under-prepared.

“You expect every international Test team to be well-prepared and play their best cricket,” he said. “Bangladesh has quality players in all areas, and we respect the challenges they bring.”

Masood also hopes Pakistan will improve under their new coach.

“We are excited to see how the new coaches help us become better players and one of the top teams in the world,” he said.

Squads:

Pakistan: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Hurraira, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Agha Salman, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi

Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed

Umpires: Richard Kettleborough (ENG) and Adrian Holdstock (RSA)

TV Umpire: Michael Gough (ENG)

Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI)