Masood expresses confidence in bowling as Pakistan set to face Bangladesh in first Test tomorrow

Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood has expressed confidence in the bowling attack as the national side prepares to face Bangladesh in the first Test of the two-match series in Mirpur on Friday.

The Green Shirts are visiting Bangladesh for a Test series after being whitewashed on home soil by the Bengal Tigers in August 2024. The visitors had won the two-match series by 10 wickets and six wickets respectively in Rawalpindi.

Addressing the pre-series press conference on Thursday, Masood said, “We are fully focused on this series and the challenge of playing Bangladesh in their own conditions.”

He also put the weight on the home side’s “quality in all departments”.

Masood said that the team is looking forward to “testing” itself against its hosts.

“We have selected a well-balanced squad that can perform in different conditions. The players have experience of playing in seam-friendly as well as spin-friendly environments, so we are confident about the options available to us,” he said.

“In Test cricket, taking 20 wickets remains the key to success.”

“We have confidence in our bowling attack and the team combination. If we perform well collectively in batting, bowling and fielding, we can achieve good results in this series,” he added.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto insisted his side must post big first-innings totals to give their potent pace attack the platform to take 20 wickets.

“The important thing is scoring runs. If we score 400 in 80 overs, no problem. If someone takes 120 overs, I also have no problem,” Shanto said.

Shanto believed his fast bowlers hold a slight edge over Pakistan’s attack.

Bangladesh have bolstered their batting with the inclusion of attacking opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim, while Taskin Ahmed returns from injury to strengthen an already experienced pace unit alongside the exciting Nahid Rana.

Pakistan will take confidence from Babar Azam’s rich run of form in the recent HBL Pakistan Super League 2026.

However, there was uncertainty in Pakistan’s camp on Thursday after Babar underwent a scan following the team’s practice session, with his fitness for the series opener yet to be confirmed.

Schedule

1. 1st Test, Pakistan vs Bangladesh, May 8 to 12, Mirpur, 9am.
2. 2nd Test, Pakistan vs Bangladesh, May 16 to 20, Sylhet, 9am.

Pakistan Squad

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

Bangladesh Squad

Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque Showrab, Mushfiqur Rahim (wicket-keeper), Litton Kumer Das (wicket-keeper), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Tanzid Hasan and Amite Hasan.