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This week, Bangladesh begins a two-Test series in Pakistan, but their preparations have been severely impacted by the ongoing political unrest in Bangladesh. The turmoil, which led to the overthrow of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has caused significant disruptions for the Bangladesh cricket team.
Political Unrest Disrupts Bangladesh’s Preparations
The unrest has forced the team’s foreign coaches to stay indoors, strictly following advisories from their embassies. Meanwhile, mass protests across the country have prevented the team from gathering for practice sessions. The situation has been further complicated by the uncertain status of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). President Nazmul Hassan, a close associate of Hasina, fled the country, leaving the BCB in disarray.
In a country where cricket and politics are deeply intertwined, the impact of these events on the team’s morale and preparation cannot be understated. However, star allrounder Shakib Al Hasan, a former member of the now-dissolved parliament for Hasina’s party, has been cleared by the interim government to participate in the series.
Pakistan Extends Support Amid Crisis
Recognizing the challenges faced by the Bangladesh team, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) extended an invitation for them to arrive four days earlier to compensate for their disrupted preparations. A second-string Bangladesh team, with six national team players, had already been playing practice matches in Islamabad since August 10.
Despite this, Bangladesh’s woes continue as in-form opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy has been ruled out of the first Test due to a groin strain. However, senior batter Mushfiqur Rahim is expected to recover from a finger injury in time for the match.
Pakistan’s Squad Updates and Strategy
On the other hand, Pakistan has also made some changes to their squad. Fast bowler Aamir Jamal has been released from the Test squad to focus on his fitness at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore after sustaining a back injury during county cricket.
Pakistan’s team, led by captain Shan Masood, will rely on an all-pace attack for the upcoming series—a strategy they last employed five years ago against Sri Lanka. Notably, the team has decided not to include their only spinner, Abrar Ahmed.
Bangladesh’s Test Record Against Pakistan
Historically, Bangladesh has struggled against Pakistan in Test cricket. They have yet to secure a win, losing 12 out of 13 Tests, with just one match ending in a draw. Despite this record, Bangladesh hopes to overturn their fortunes in this series, which is part of the World Test Championship’s third cycle. Currently, Pakistan stands sixth in the nine-team table, while Bangladesh is eighth.
Series Details and Venue Changes
The second Test, originally scheduled in Karachi, has been moved to Rawalpindi due to construction work at Karachi Stadium. This match, set to begin on August 30, will be played in front of an empty stadium due to ongoing safety concerns.
The PCB acknowledged the importance of spectators but emphasized that the health and safety of fans are the top priority. “After careful consideration, we have decided that the safest course of action is to hold the second Test in front of an empty stadium,” the PCB stated.
Looking Ahead
Despite the challenges, Pakistan captain Shan Masood remains optimistic. He acknowledged Bangladesh’s quality and insisted that they would not underestimate their opponents, despite their disrupted preparations.
“We expect all international Test sides to come into a series well-prepared and playing their best cricket,” Masood told reporters. “Bangladesh is a side with quality players in all departments, and we highly respect the challenges they bring to us.”
Pakistan and Bangladesh Squads
Pakistan Squad:
- Shan Masood (captain)
- Saud Shakeel
- Abdullah Shafique
- Babar Azam
- Khurram Shahzad
- Mir Hamza
- Mohammad Ali
- Muhammad Hurraira
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Naseem Shah
- Saim Ayub
- Agha Salman
- Sarfaraz Ahmed
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
Bangladesh Squad:
- Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain)
- Zakir Hasan
- Shadman Islam
- Mominul Haque
- Mushfiqur Rahim
- Shakib Al Hasan
- Litton Das
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz
- Taijul Islam
- Nayeem Hasan
- Nahid Rana
- Shoriful Islam
- Hasan Mahmud
- Khaled Ahmed
Conclusion
As both teams gear up for a challenging series, cricket fans around the world will be watching closely to see how Bangladesh navigates the dual challenges of political turmoil and a formidable Pakistani side. The series promises to be a true test of resilience and skill for both teams.
