Pakistan will host Bangladesh in a two-match Test series starting Wednesday in Rawalpindi.
The Test series will be crucial for both sides to build their standings in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle. Pakistan are currently placed sixth after featuring in five Tests this cycle. They have won two while losing three Tests to gain a points percentage (PCT) of 36.7. Meanwhile, Bangladesh are ranked eighth with a solitary win in four matches.
Babar Azam’s side last featured in a Test series in Australia last year where they went down 0-3 to the hosts. Bangladesh lost their last home Test series to Sri Lanka in March 2024.
While the two Tests were slated to be played in Rawalpindi and Karachi, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) moved the second Test from Karachi to Rawalpindi where the first match will be played. The decision was made following the ongoing renovations at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, one of the venues for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025.
“We have been guided by the construction experts on the timelines for the readiness of the venue. They advised that while construction could continue during playing hours, the resulting noise pollution would disturb the cricketers. Additionally, the dust from the construction work could also affect the health and wellbeing of the players, officials, broadcasters, and media,” the PCB said on Sunday.
Pakistan vs Bangladesh Test squads
Pakistan will feature a 14-member squad for the first Test after the team released spinner Abrar Ahmed and batter Kamran Ghulam before all-rounder Aamir Jamal failed to recover from an injury.
Pakistan squad for Bangladesh Test series: Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Shaheen Afridi.
Bangladesh squad for Pakistan Test series: Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumer Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Syed Khaled Ahmed.
Pakistan v Bangladesh Test match schedule
21-25 August, 2024: 1st Test, Rawalpindi
30 August – 3 September 2024: 2nd Test, Rawalpindi
Pakistan v Bangladesh Test live streaming details
The Pakistan vs Bangladesh Test series will not be streamed or telecast in India.
