Bangladesh is set to take the field with the aim of winning the first Test against Pakistan. After a long break, Bangladesh returns to action today, Wednesday. This will be the Tigers’ first international match since the T20 World Cup. They will face Pakistan in a Test match in white clothing. After four long years, Bangladesh will play a Test match on Pakistani soil.
The Bangladesh national cricket team has been in Pakistan for a few days to play a two-match Test series. In the first match of the series, the Tigers will take the field today (Wednesday). The match will start at 11:30 AM Bangladesh time in Rawalpindi.
Just a year after gaining Test status, the Bangladesh cricket team toured Pakistan for the first time in 2001. Counting international tournaments, this will be the seventh tour of Pakistan by the Bangladesh national team.
Bangladesh’s record in Pakistan is forgettable, with just two wins in 25 matches. However, those wins were not against the hosts. They came against Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates in Asia Cup matches.
Overall, Pakistan remains unbeaten against Bangladesh at home. Bangladesh has played 20 matches across all three formats on Pakistani soil and has lost all 20.
In total, Bangladesh has played 13 Test matches against Pakistan, both at home and away, with one historic draw but no wins. Bangladesh has lost 12 of these encounters.
However, Bangladesh is determined to break this cycle of failure. Captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto claims, “It’s just a record that can be changed. It won’t be easy, but our team is balanced. We believe we can do something special this time. The players are excited to play here.”
Bangladesh did not perform well in the previous Test Championship, finishing last out of nine teams. Although they started well in this cycle, Bangladesh lost momentum and now sits in 8th place. However, Shanto is hopeful that this series will be a turning point.
He said, “We started well in the Test Championship against New Zealand, but didn’t do well against Sri Lanka. Now we have the opportunity to play well against Pakistan.”
