Pakistan's bold strategy to crush Bangladesh exposed as Babar Azam-starrer team plans a huge gamble in 1st Test

The strategy of the Pakistan National Cricket Team to hammer the Bangladesh National Cricket Team in the first Test match has been revealed as the playing XI combination of the Men In Green has come out.

The first Test of the Bangladesh tour of Pakistan 2024 is scheduled to be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from August 21. Then, the action moves towards the second Test, which is set to be hosted by the National Stadium in Karachi from August 30. These two Test matches will be part of the ongoing cycle of the ICC World Test Championship and it will be very crucial for both teams to go all-out for the win if they aim to secure a berth in the summit clash of the WTC.

Notably, the Karachi Test match is set to be played without spectators due to the ongoing construction work at the venue, which is being done keeping in mind the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

This will be the first international fixture for both teams since the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, where the teams weren't able to perform well. Under the leadership of Babar Azam, the Men In Green were knocked out of the competition in the Group Stage itself while the Bangla Tigers reached the Super Eights but played timid cricket.

Coming back to the Test matches, the PCB selection committee has named a pace-heavy squad for the series with only one frontline spinner - Abrar Ahmed - included. There are as many as six pace-bowling options in the squad, which gives a clear hint that the seamer-friendly pitches will be on offer.

It is unlikely the lone specialist spinner, Abrar Ahmed, would get a chance to play - Pakistan management plans a huge gamble

As per a report in PTI, Pakistan team management is likely to field an all-out pace attack against the Bangladesh Team due to the forecast for rain and overcast conditions. Notably, the Pakistan Meteorological Department has predicted rain of varying intensity across the five days of the first Test.

As per the same report, Abrar Ahmed will continue to warm the bench despite expressing his desire to become the main spinner of the team and showcasing brilliant performances in the limited opportunities he received.

The Shan Masood-led side is likely to go with Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mir Hamza, and Khurram Shahzad in the bowling unit with all-rounder Agha Salman being the sole spin-bowling option.

"It is unlikely the lone specialist spinner, Abrar Ahmed, would get a chance to play because of the weather.

"Even in the four-day match in Islamabad, Bangladesh A were bowled out cheaply on a pitch that favoured pace bowlers," a source close to the selectors said, as per PTI.

Also, the 22-year-old batsman Muhammad Hurraira is in line for the debut in the series against Bangladesh as he has impressed the Pakistan team management with his performances. The youngster has been in good form recently and he even scored a double ton against Bangladesh A in Darwin in July.

Probable Pakistan eleven for the first Test against Bangladesh: Abdullah Shafique, Muhammad Hurraira, Shan Masood, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mir Hamza and Khurrum Shahzad or Mohammad Ali.