Recently, there has been political unrest in Bangladesh as a result of a student-led revolt. Because of this, the cricket team from Bangladesh left earlier than expected and arrived in Pakistan with plenty of time to adjust to the local circumstances. Pakistan’s home Test schedule is full, thus moving up the WTC rankings will undoubtedly be on their minds.
Pakistan is still looking for its ideal lineup for home games and hasn’t been the most assured team when playing there. Is this the year they finally start to feel at home? Is Bangladesh able to pull off an upset and cheer up the whole country?
PAK vs BAN Team Preview & Squads
Pakistan
Before the Test Match, Pakistan released their playing eleven and announced their all-pace bowling attack. The wicket at Rawalpindi has historically benefited the pacers, but over time, that zip has seemed to diminish. Salman Ali Agha is Pakistan’s top spinner, so we think using just four pace bowlers is a significant risk for the team.
Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi will lead the bowling assault. This bowling attack is skilled, especially at home, but we think they might find it difficult on a level field. With some reverse swing in his favor, Naseem Shah appears to be Bangladesh’s greatest threat in this encounter.
It is him that we would suggest placing your bets on to be Pakistan’s best bowler. Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique will have another opportunity to bat at the top of the order. Muhammad Hurraira is waiting in the wings for this relatively new batting tandem, thus both players will have pressure to produce.
The powerful top six is rounded up by Sahn Masood, Babar Azam, and Saud Shakeel, but Pakistan also has a lot of depth with Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha in tow. This ought to enable it to score enough runs to either win or, at the absolute least, tie the game.
Pakistan Squads
Pakistan
Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abdullah Shafique, Naseem Shah
Bangladesh
Bangladesh will be a little hesitant going into this game. It has a dismal record against Pakistan, has dropped its last three Test matches, and generally finds it difficult to win Test matches. You’ve got a formula for disaster when you include some concerns about injuries.
With Mahmmudul Hasan Joy out of the first Test, Shadman Islam is probably going to take his position. Zakir Hasan, the other opener, hasn’t been playing well either. Bangladesh’s batting order is perpetually on the verge of collapse.
Shakib Al Hasan is more likely to make a late-inning cameo than a game-winning hit since he is not quite the same batter as he was in his heyday. The bats of Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Mushfiqur Rahim will have to provide the majority of the runs.
Mominul Haque is under pressure to maintain his position because he hasn’t been on top lately. Mehidy Hasan Miraz is one bowler whose unflinching consistency could provide a challenge to Pakistan. He is an excellent batter down the order as well. Bangladesh’s bowling team is arguably more composed than it has ever been. Taskin Ahmed offers a bowling alternative with high velocity, while Shoriful Islam adds diversity and a left-arm angle.
It will be intriguing to see if Bangladesh sticks to their spin bowling strategy or decides to go for a fast-paced attack after taking a cue from Pakistan.
Bangladesh Squads
Bangladesh
Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Taskin Ahmed, Mominul Haque, Hasan Mahmud, Zakir Hasan, Khaled Ahmed.
Without hesitation, the winning team will choose to bat first. It looks like it might rain tomorrow. For the first Test match session, there might be a little bit on the surface, but that is to be expected. After the first session, the pitch at Rawalpindi usually calms out and turns into a batting haven.
PAK vs BAN Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches
The PAK won four games in their last five matches and BAN won none.
Pakistan vs Bangladesh Prediction
Winning the toss
Pakistan
Player of the Match
Pakistan – Babar Azam
Most runs
Pakistan – Babar Azam
Bangladesh – Mushfiqur Rahim
Most wickets
Pakistan – Shaheen Shah Afridi
Bangladesh – Shoriful Islam
Most sixes
Pakistan – Babar Azam
Bangladesh – Najmul Hossain Shanto
Team Scores Batting First
Pakistan – 350+
Bangladesh – 300+
According to cricket analysts, Pakistan has a 69% chance of winning.
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