Pakistan vs Bangladesh, 1st Test, Preview – Mushfiqur-less Tigers aim for first points in Test Championship

Saif Hassan is likely to get his maiden Test captain.

Published - 06 Feb 2020, 14:41 IST | Updated - 06 Feb 2020, 14:41 IST

3 Min Read

Bangladesh had a torrid time in the Pakistan T20Is where they failed to defend targets on both instances. Mushfiqur Rahim’s absence was well and truly felt. The veteran won’t be there in the Tigers’ first Test against Pakistan, starting February 7 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Mominul Haque has been retained as the Bangladesh skipper despite his poor show in the India Tests.

They are also yet to open their account in the World Test Championship, having lost both their matches, which included the pink-ball Test in Kolkata. For the upcoming Test, the Tigers have resorted to a few alterations, including bringing in pacer Rubel Hossain, who has a bowling average in excess of 80. Soumya Sarkar and Tamim Iqbal have also made their way into the squad.

On the other hand, Pakistan have been making some frequent changes. The likes of Faheem Ashraf and Bilal Asif have staked their claim back. After a disappointing tour of Australia, they managed to beat Sri Lanka by 263 runs in Karachi. In the Test Championship, Azhar Ali and Co are sitting fourth in the table with 80 points, all of which have come in their previous series against Sri Lanka.

Team Combination

Pakistan

Pakistan may not make many changes to their winning combination from their last game. The hosts can test out Fawad Alam though, benching Haris Sohail. Their batting is in red-hot form with Abid Ali hitting his straps from the word go. There’s no doubting Babar, Masood and skipper Azhar’s form.

Shafiq, Rizwan and Shah are more than capable of adding some vital runs. In both the Lanka Tests, Pakistan used four specialist bowlers- Shaheen, Abbas, Naseem and Yasir Shah. And they are likely to stick to the tactic. The 16-year-old Naseem turned up with his maiden Test fifer in the Karachi Test.

Probable XI

Abid Ali, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali (C), Babar Azam, Haris Sohail/Fawad Alam, Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Yasir Shah, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen Shah Afridi

Bangladesh

Russell Domingo has revealed the top seven in a press conference. It means Saif Hassan, who injured himself during the injury tour, will get his maiden Test cap. Shanto is likely to get a look in as well. In Mushfiqur’s absence, Mominul, Mithun and Mahmudullah will hold the key in the middle order.

Liton Das has also matured a lot over the last few months. There may be a toss-up between Rubel and Nayeem Hasan depending on the nature of the strip. Ebadot has looked rusty at times, but had a decent BPL. Abu Jayed showed good form in India and he will be looking for a similar show.

Probable XI

Tamim Iqbal, Saif Hassan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque Showrabh (C), Mohammad Mithun (wk), Mahmudullah, Liton Das, Nayeem Hasan/Rubel Hossain, Taijul Islam, Abu Jayed Rahi Chowdhury, Ebadot Hossain

Focus will be on

Babar Azam (Pakistan)

Babar Azam has scores of 104, 97, 102*, 100* and 60 in his last four Tests. The numbers speak volume about the stature he holds in the Pakistan lineup. Ranked seventh in the ICC Test rankings, Babar has started to stamp his authority even in the traditional format. The 25-year-old batter from Lahore has a great chance of feasting on a rather out-of-form Bangladesh bowling attack.

Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh)

It’s been 11 months since Tamim Iqbal has last played Test cricket. However, Bangladesh’s all-time highest Test scorer isn’t short of form by any means. The 30-year-old left-hander is coming off an unbeaten 334 while playing for the East Zone in the Bangladesh Cricket League. Tamim has an impressive record against Pakistan, scoring 336 runs at 42 with a top score of 206 in Khulna in 2015.