'Will be tough to face their pacers' - Zakir Hasan gives insights into preparation for Pakistan Tests

Bangladesh Test opener Zakir Hasan has opened up on the team's challenges against the impending series against India and Pakistan. Bangladesh will be touring India for two Tests in September and will play as many Tests against Pakistan thereafter. They have shown lacklustre performance in Test this year, having won just one of the four games they have played. 

The Tigers’ batting crumbled time and again in their recent outings in the longest format. They were dismissed four times for a score under 200. Hasan highlighted that Pakistan boast an array of world-class bowlers and it will be challenging to come good against them.

“If you look at the Pakistan bowlers they have always been really good... they have world class bowlers. So if you play Test or any format against them, it will be tough and challenging to face their pace bowlers. At the same time we are also working on that and have worked on that in the camps, and also seen the video analysis,” said Hasan as quoted by Cricbuzz.

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“So we have tried to take preparations accordingly. Now let's see. We have an A team match there. I once played a one-day there in the emerging Asia Cup, but never played a Test. Hopefully if I get to play a Test there, I'll get a better understanding of the wicket,” he added. 

Pakistan team under turbulence 

Speaking of Pakistan, the board and the team are traversing through troubled waters as they are at the receiving end from fans and former cricketers. The criticism is flowing from every corner after their dismal outing at the ICC events. The situation has worsened when the team was ousted from the T20 World Cup 2024 in the group stages. Former Pakistan cricketer Wasim Akram had called for a revamp in the team and urged to bring in young guns. 

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"Enough is enough. We need changes now. Bring in a new team – six to seven players and then back them through losses so that they can develop as a team. It's time for the PCB chairman to take a bold step. We keep hearing [of the team] that this guy isn't talking to that guy, or that guy isn't talking to him. This was the best New York pitch so far, it wasn't that difficult. How tough was it to chase 120? After this performance, I don't think Pakistan deserve to go into the Super 8s," Akram had said in a video posted on his Twitter handle.