DHAKA, Aug 20, 2024 (BSS) - Bangladesh seek a redemption in their performance in the longer version format as they take on Pakistan in the two-match Test series opener tomorrow (Wednesday) at Rawalpindi.

The match which starts at 11.30 AM, will be telecast live at T Sports and Gazi TV.
With the Test, Bangladesh will kick start its busiest Test season that included eight Tests in four months. After the two-match series against Pakistan, Bangladesh will play six more Tests against India, South Africa and West Indies this year.

Being aware of the large amount of Tests in short span of time, Bangladesh made a conditioning camp for the Test regulars when rest of the national players were busy with shortest format of cricket.

The conditioning camp later was hampered due to the unrest in the country as the team management couldn't execute their training plan completely. 

However, to their delight, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) came up in support of Bangladesh as they arranged a training camp for them in Lahore, which the team management said as handy for them ahead of the Test series.

"The last few days were tough for us. Everyone struggled. However as cricketers, we want to play cricket and we have to go ahead," Shanto told the reporters in Rawalpindi in pre-match conference today.

"Hopefully we'll put up a good performance and kick off our long Test season with good note. That's the target."

Bangladesh have never won a Test match against Pakistan despite playing 13 matches. They lost a staggering amount of 12 matches and the only success is to draw a match in 2015 at home. The Tigers, as it was adorably called, also lost the last match between the two sides on Pakistan soil by an innings margin. 

Shanto, however, was unfazed by the record, saying that, "We believe we can do something special this time."

While the batting has been a concern, the Pakistan pitch could come up as rescue for them as history suggested that it tends to favour the batters. Pakistan, which had already announced the first XI, was formed with all pace attack. This is the first time in 28 years that they are playing a home Test without any spinner, hinting the pitch can be favourable for fast bowlers.
"We have also developed good fast bowling attack, which can thrive in favourable pitches. Our spinners also can be handy in any condition and that means we covered all bases," Shanto said.

The first Test match against Bangladesh marks Pakistan red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie's first international assignment since his appointment in April this year. It will also be Shan Masood's first Test match as captain on home soil, embarking a new era in red-ball cricket for the team.

"Fans always want the cricket team to do well and win matches for them. We are all excited for the series and the great season ahead. We have a talented group of cricketers who are eager to perform well in the series. Our bowlers are capable of taking 20 wickets and helping the team win matches," Masood said in the pre-match conference. 

"The series against Bangladesh is very important for us as we prepare for a busy season ahead, and we are determined to perform well. We had some good training sessions leading up to the series, and the coaching staff has worked hard with the players.

Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Mominul Haque, Hasan Mahmud, Liton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nahid Rana, Nayeem Hasan, Shadman Islam, Shoriful Islam, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Taijul Islam and Zakir Hasan
Pakistan playing XI: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (captain), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Mohammad Rizwan(wicket-keeper), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Ali
Match officials: Adrian Holdstock and Richard Kettleborough (on-field umpires), Michael Gough (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire) and Ranjan Madugalle (match referee.