The Bangladesh National Cricket Team will be hosting the Pakistan National Cricket Team for a two-match Test series, which is scheduled to begin from tomorrow at the Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium, Dhaka. Ahead of the first test match, former Pakistan captain and star batter Babar Azam has been ruled out of the first test match due to injury.
Babar Azam, who was in sensational form during the recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026, was the tournament's top scorer with 588 runs in 11 innings (73.50 average) and won the Hanif Muhammad Cap. Babar led the HBL PSL 11 Team of the Tournament after scoring two centuries. He also led his side, Peshwar Zalmi, to the championship.
Babar Azam out due to knee injury
Babar Azam is missing out on the first Test match off the series will be a huge blow for the Pakistan National Cricket Team, as he has been the backbone of their batting order. He is suffering from a left knee injury, causing him to miss the crucial red-ball match against Bangladesh.
The team's medical panel is currently assessing Babar’s condition. Further updates will be shared in due course. “Pakistan batter Babar Azam will not be available for the first Test match against Bangladesh due to an injury in left knee,” the press release statement said.
These two matches are part of the ICC World Test Championship and will be played at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka from 8 to 12 May. Sylhet International Cricket Stadium will host the second Test, which will be played from 16 to 20 May.
Bangladesh is ranked eighth, having suffered one defeat and one tie in two matches, with a win percentage of 16.67. Pakistan, however, is fifth with one victory and one loss, 12 points and a 50% win ratio.
I do not think our side associates- Shan Masood
Speaking to the media on the eve of the first Test, Masood downplayed any idea of payback and instead praised the home team for their success in the previous series.
“I do not think our side associates itself with any word related to revenge. We must give credit to Bangladesh for the way they prepared and performed in 2024. We thought we would have the better of them in those conditions, but they played really good cricket,” he told reporters.
“The way they fought back from situations where we were on top, like when they were 26 for six, showed their skill and ability. We are not going to take any opposition lightly,” he added.
BAN VS PAK Squads
Pakistan: Shan Masood (c), Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Bangladesh (first Test): Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vc), Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Tanzid Hasan, and Amite Hasan.
Also Read: "The Mitchell Marsh show!", Fans goes beserk as LSG opener smashes record breaking century vs RCB
