Pakistan vs Bangladesh: 1st Test Match Commences Amid Political Turmoil

The first Test match of the two-match series between Pakistan and Bangladesh commenced on August 21, 2024, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bowl first, putting pressure on the Pakistani batting lineup right from the start.

All eyes are on Pakistan captain Babar Azam as his team seeks a significant opportunity to qualify for the World Test Championship final. The match holds special significance for Bangladesh as this series marks their first international cricket engagement following recent political unrest in the country.

Historically, Pakistan has a dominant record against Bangladesh in Test matches, having won 12 of the 13 matches played between the two teams. Bangladesh, thus far, has yet to secure a victory in Test cricket against Pakistan.

As the match unfolded, Pakistan faced a challenging beginning, losing quick wickets including that of captain Shan Masood and star batsman Babar Azam for zero runs. Despite a shaky start, Saim Ayub managed to score 56 runs before being dismissed, contributing to a recovery effort along with Saud Shakeel.

The day’s play concluded with Pakistan at 158 runs for the loss of four wickets, providing a mixed review of their performance. Saud Shakeel remained unbeaten at 57 runs, while Mohammad Rizwan contributed a valuable 24 to the team’s total.

This match is not just an ordinary series; it carries implications for both teams in terms of ranking and future international competitions. The political turbulence in Bangladesh has also been a factor affecting team preparations, with turmoil impacting the involvement of foreign coaches and practice sessions.