Pakistan face Bangladesh pace challenge in key WTC27 series

With important ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 points on the line, Pakistan are all set to begin their tour of Bangladesh with a Test match in Mirpur.

Pakistan are currently placed fifth on the WTC standings with a point percentage of 50, whereas Bangladesh are eighth with 16.67.

The last meeting between these two sides adds to the intrigue of the contest, as Bangladesh stunned Pakistan and secured a historic first-ever Test series win over their opponents in 2024.

And Pakistan skipper Shan Masood has a fair idea of the Bangladesh challenge, especially their potent pace attack. 

From the hero of Mount Maunganui, Ebadot Hossein, who helped Bangladesh to a historic win over New Zealand in 2022, to the experienced Taskin Ahmed and the fiery Nahid Rana, Bangladesh’s pace unit has a well-rounded look to it.

“Their pace attack is very good and it is probably the best I have seen from them,” Masood said ahead of the first Test.

At the same time, Pakistan are no short of capabilities, with veteran Mohammad Abbas in line to play his first Test since January 2025. Hasan Ali and Shaheen Afridi along with Khurram Shahzad round up a good pace attack.

“We won't get into comparisons between our units, as both have quality,” Masood noted.

Having spoken about the pace factor, Masood stated that Pakistan were ready for any conditions, having played in a variety of places under his captaincy.

“The pitch currently has grass on it, and that will likely be its condition tomorrow. We have played in various conditions over the last two years, including Australia and South Africa. Even when Bangladesh came to Pakistan, we prepared similar wickets. 

“We built our 16-man squad to be balanced, with options for both seam and spin conditions.”

The squad also features Babar Azam, who has endured a rather lean patch in Test cricket. Since his last hundred in 2022, Babar has average only 24.86 across 15 Tests.

But the batter hit the purple patch in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League, being the highest run-getter with 588 runs to his name, including two hundreds, while also guiding Peshawar Zalmi to the title as captain.

Masood backed Babar to come good in Bangladesh and is confident their star batter will carry over his form into international cricket.

“I believe he is one of the best batsmen Pakistan has ever produced," the skipper said. "Having him scoring runs is always beneficial, as runs provide a batsman with essential confidence. 

“It is a very good time for us because he is entering this series with a significant number of runs from the PSL. We are looking forward to Babar replicating those performances in these Test matches.”

Squad:

Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan, Ghazi Ghori, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi.