Pakistan is gearing up to host Bangladesh for an exciting two-match Test series set to take place in Rawalpindi starting from August 21. This will be Pakistan’s first Test series since their crushing defeat to Australia at the backend of 2023 and the beginning of 2024. Similarly, Bangladesh is also looking to make a strong comeback after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Sri Lanka.
This series holds significant importance as both teams are vying for crucial World Test Championship (WTC) points. Currently, Pakistan sits in sixth place on the WTC points table with two wins from their five matches. On the other hand, Bangladesh is down in the ninth spot, with just one win out of their four games.
As we anticipate this high-stakes competition, here is everything you need to know about the upcoming series:
The schedule for the two fixtures is as follows: The first Test match is scheduled to begin on August 21 and will run until August 25 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The second Test, initially planned to be played in Karachi, has been rescheduled to Rawalpindi due to renovation work at the National Stadium. The second match will start on August 30 and continue until September 3.
### Detailed Schedule:
– **First Test:** August 21, Wednesday – August 25, Sunday at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
– **Second Test:** August 30, Friday – September 3, Tuesday at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
### Bangladesh Squad:
Bangladesh’s squad for the series includes:
– Zakir Hasan
– Shadman Islam
– Najmul Hossain Shanto (c)
– Mominul Haque
– Shakib Al Hasan
– Mushfiqur Rahim (w)
– Litton Das
– Mehidy Hasan Miraz
– Shoriful Islam
– Nahid Rana
– Hasan Mahmud
– Khaled Ahmed
– Nayeem Hasan
– Taskin Ahmed
– Taijul Islam
With experienced players like Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim in their ranks, Bangladesh will be looking to leverage their skills and experience to put up a strong fight against the Pakistani team.
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### Pakistan Squad:
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s squad for the series includes:
– Abdullah Shafique
– Saim Ayub
– Shan Masood (c)
– Babar Azam
– Saud Shakeel
– Mohammad Rizwan (w)
– Agha Salman
– Shaheen Afridi
– Naseem Shah
– Khurram Shahzad
– Mohammad Ali
– Sarfaraz Ahmed
– Mir Hamza
– Kamran Ghulam
– Abrar Ahmed
– Mohammad Huraira
Pakistan has also announced their Playing XI for the first Test match two days before the game. The team will include:
– Abdullah Shafique
– Saim Ayub
– Shan Masood (c)
– Babar Azam
– Saud Shakeel (vc)
– Mohammad Rizwan (w)
– Salman Ali Agha
– Shaheen Shah Afridi
– Naseem Shah
– Khurram Shahzad
– Mohammad Ali
### Key Players to Watch:
For Bangladesh, all eyes will be on Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim, both of whom bring a wealth of experience and skill to the team. Their performances will be pivotal for Bangladesh as they aim to climb up the WTC points table.
On the other side, Pakistan will rely heavily on the batting prowess of Babar Azam and Shan Masood, alongside the fiery pace of Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah. Mohammad Rizwan’s role as a wicketkeeper-batsman will also be crucial for Pakistan’s hopes in this series.
### Streaming Information:
Unfortunately, cricket enthusiasts in India will not be able to watch the series through traditional TV broadcasts or online streaming platforms.
### Closing Thoughts:
This series represents a significant opportunity for both teams to earn precious World Test Championship points and improve their standings. With both Pakistan and Bangladesh looking to rebound from previous disappointments, the upcoming matches in Rawalpindi promise to be fiercely contested and thrilling to watch.
The anticipation is building as cricket fans from both nations eagerly await the first ball on August 21, marking the start of what promises to be an engaging and competitive series. The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is all set to witness some intense cricketing action over the course of these two Test matches, as each team battles for pride and crucial WTC points.
