Bangladesh is set to begin a two-Test series in Pakistan this week amid significant challenges stemming from recent political upheavals in their home country.
The political turmoil, which resulted in the removal of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has disrupted the team’s preparations. Foreign coaches have been confined to their residences under embassy advisories, and widespread protests have hindered practice sessions.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is also in flux, with President Nazmul Hassan having fled the country due to his ties with Hasina’s administration.
While cricket and politics are deeply intertwined in Bangladesh, interim authorities are permitting ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan—who was part of the dissolved parliament under Hasina’s party—to participate in the series in Pakistan.
“Given the situation, practicing was not feasible,” spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed commented.
The team received some relief when the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) invited them to arrive four days early to compensate for their lack of practice. Since August 10, a second-string Bangladesh team, including six national players, has been engaged in practice matches in Islamabad.
Bangladesh faces additional setbacks as in-form opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy has been ruled out of the first Test due to a groin strain, though senior batter Mushfiqur Rahim is expected to recover from a finger injury in time for the match.
The PCB has announced that fast bowler Aamir Jamal has been released from the Test squad ahead of the series against Bangladesh and will focus on his fitness at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. Jamal is recovering from a back injury sustained while playing county cricket earlier this year.
Bangladesh will aim to break their poor record against Pakistan, having won just one of the 13 Tests played between the two teams, with 12 losses and one draw.
The two-match Test series is part of the World Test Championship’s third cycle, with Pakistan currently ranked sixth and Bangladesh eighth in the standings.
Due to ongoing construction at Karachi’s stadium, both Test matches will be held in Rawalpindi, with the second Test scheduled to start on August 30. The PCB has decided to hold this match in an empty stadium to ensure fan safety, despite valuing the crucial role of spectators in cricket.
Following a 3-0 defeat in Australia earlier this year, Pakistan has brought in former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie as Test coach and Adelaide groundsman Damien Hough to enhance pitch quality. Pakistan will field an all-pace attack, having released their sole spinner, Abrar Ahmed—a strategy they last used five years ago against Sri Lanka at the same venue.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, will rely on spin, with Shakib Al Hasan (237 wickets), Taijul Islam (195), and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (164) included in their squad.
Pakistan captain Shan Masood dismissed concerns about Bangladesh being under-prepared. “We expect all international Test teams to come well-prepared and strive to play their best cricket,” Masood told AFP. “Bangladesh has quality players across all departments, and we respect the challenges they pose.”
Masood is also hopeful for improvements under the new coaching staff, aiming to enhance Pakistan’s standing among the world’s top teams.
Pakistan Squad: 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 Squad: 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)
