DHAKA, May 7, 2026 — Pakistan and Bangladesh are set to begin their ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 campaign against each other in the first Test starting Friday at the Shere Bangla National Stadium.
With valuable World Test Championship points at stake, Pakistan enter the series placed fifth on the table with a points percentage of 50, while Bangladesh sit eighth with 16.67.
The contest carries added significance following Bangladesh’s historic Test series win over Pakistan in 2024, their first-ever against the visitors, raising expectations of another closely fought encounter.
Pakistan captain Shan Masood acknowledged the challenge posed by Bangladesh’s pace attack, highlighting its depth and recent performances.
“Their pace attack is very good and it is probably the best I have seen from them,” Masood said on the eve of the match.
Bangladesh’s fast-bowling unit includes Ebadot Hossain, known for his match-winning spell at Mount Maunganui in 2022, alongside Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana, giving the hosts a varied pace attack.
Pakistan, meanwhile, will field a strong bowling lineup featuring veteran Mohammad Abbas, alongside Hasan Ali and Shaheen Afridi, with Khurram Shahzad also in contention.
“We won’t get into comparisons between our units, as both have quality,” Masood added, stressing balance in Pakistan’s squad.
He said Pakistan were prepared for varying conditions, noting that the Mirpur pitch currently has grass and could assist seamers early on.
“We have played in various conditions over the last two years, including Australia and South Africa,” he said, adding that the squad was built to adapt to both seam and spin-friendly surfaces.
Attention will also be on senior batter Babar Azam, who has struggled in recent Test outings, averaging 24.86 across his last 15 matches since 2022.
However, Babar enters the series in strong form after finishing as the leading run-scorer in the Pakistan Super League with 588 runs, including two centuries, and guiding Peshawar Zalmi to the title.
Masood backed the former captain to carry his domestic form into the Test arena.
“I believe he is one of the best batsmen Pakistan has ever produced,” he said. “Runs provide confidence, and he is coming into this series with significant runs behind him.”
Pakistan squad
Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan, Ghazi Ghori, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi.