Bangladesh managed to score 101-2 at lunch after a steady recovery in the opening Test of the two-match series against Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on Friday.
After being put into bat, Bangladesh had a shaky start, slipping to 31-2 early in the innings. Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali struck early, giving visitors a strong start.
But captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque responded with a composed third-wicket partnership, stabilising the innings and guiding their side to 101 without further loss by the lunch break.
For Pakistan, two youngsters, Abdullah Fazal and Azan Awais, are making their Test debuts, while Babar Azam has been ruled out due to a left knee injury.
The second Test of the series is scheduled to take place in Sylhet from May 16 to 20.
The series is part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27, with the second Test scheduled to be played at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet from May 16 to 20.
Pakistan occupy the fifth place after winning one and losing one of their two Tests. They have secured 12 points with a 50% win rate.
On the other hand, Bangladesh are currently eighth in the WTC standings, having earned one draw and suffered one defeat in their two matches so far.
The last Test series between Pakistan and Bangladesh was played in August 2024, when Bangladesh claimed a historic 2-0 victory which was also their first-ever away Test series win against the Green Shirts.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Azan Awais, Abdullah Fazal, Shan Masood(c), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan(w), Salman Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Noman Ali, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas.
Bangladesh: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto(c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das(w), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Ebadot Hossain.
