Pakistan introduced two fresh batting talents during the first Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka, as Abdullah Fazal and Azan Awais received their maiden Test caps. With former captain Babar Azam sidelined due to a left knee injury, the team turned to youth, drafting these two promising left-handed top-order batsmen into the playing XI for the opening match of the two-Test series.
Captain Shan Masood won the toss and opted to field first at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, but much of the pre-match focus was on the debutants.
Abdullah Fazal, a 23-year-old opening batter from Karachi, has built a strong reputation in Pakistan’s domestic circuit through consistent first-class performances. In 25 matches, he has scored 1,828 runs at an average of 41.54, including four centuries and ten half-centuries, with a career-best 182.
Joining him is 21-year-old Azan Awais from Sialkot, a highly rated left-hander regarded as one of Pakistan’s brightest red-ball prospects. Awais has enjoyed an outstanding start to his first-class career, amassing 2,673 runs in 33 matches at a superb average of 48.60, including ten hundreds and nine fifties, with an unbeaten 203 as his highest score.
Pakistan’s batting lineup for the Test features Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Fazal, Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel, and Mohammad Rizwan. The visitors also welcomed back veteran pacer Mohammad Abbas alongside Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali, while Noman Ali was selected as the sole specialist spinner.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, brought back fast bowler Taskin Ahmed for his first Test appearance since December 2024 after recovering from injury. The hosts’ bowling attack also includes Nahid Rana, Ebadot Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Taijul Islam.
This series marks an important phase for Pakistan as they begin rebuilding their Test side with a younger batting core.
Playing XIs:
Bangladesh: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Nahid Rana.
Pakistan: Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Fazal, Shan Masood (capt), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Noman Ali, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas.
