Rahim backs Bangladesh to seal series against Pakistan

Mushfiqur Rahim believes Bangladesh have what it takes to repeat last week’s heroics in the second Test against Pakistan in Sylhet.

Bangladesh produced a brilliant all-round performance in the first Test to secure a historic 104-run victory over Pakistan, boosting their status in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.

Rahim believes it was Bangladesh’s superior display across all departments that earned them the win rather than Pakistan’s struggling form.

"I think the Pakistan team is obviously struggling in Tests, ODIs and T20Is but we won [in Dhaka] because we played really well," said wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim 

"We were consistent against them. We will try to play in the same way.”

Pakistan will be boosted by the return of batter Babar Azam. The 31-year-old missed the first Test in Mirpur due to a left knee injury.

However, Mushfiqur Rahim believes Bangladesh are ready for the challenge Babar brings, highlighting how Bangladesh managed to get the better of him during their historic 2-0 series win in Pakistan in 2024.

"I am sure [Babar's] presence will be a boost for the Pakistan team, especially because he is a world-class cricketer. But he played in the two Tests when we beat them in Pakistan, still we beat them.” said Rahim.

Babar Azam managed to score just 64 runs in the 2024 series and was dismissed twice by Nahid Rana. Rana, the ICC Men's Player of the Month for April, has been in the form of his life and picked up a brilliant five-wicket haul in the first Test in Mirpur. 

“We know where to attack him, how to plan against him. We are hopeful of executing those plans. If we can do that, we can definitely put him and the team under pressure." said the 39-year-old.

Rahim was full of praise for skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, both for his leadership and his performances with the bat. Shanto scored 101 and 87 in the first Test and was adjudged Player of the Match. 

"Shanto is batting really well. I think his biggest plus is that he takes leadership positively. He leads by example, so we are all bound to follow him. I think he is a great leader. I am hopeful that he continues to bat in this consistent way, in Tests and other formats too," Mushfiqur said. 

The victory in Mirpur propelled Bangladesh to sixth in the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 standings.

The second Test starts on Saturday, 16th May at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.