Pakistan bowl first against Bangladesh in first Test

DHAKA – Pakistan on Friday won the toss and elected to field in the first Test against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka. The match marks the Test debut for Pakistani players Azan Owais and Abdullah Fazal, who are making their first appearance in the longest format of the game. Notably, Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam is unavailable for this match due to a knee injury, adding extra responsibility to the rest of the squad. 🚨 TOSS & PLAYING XI 🚨 Pakistan win the toss and opt to field first against Bangladesh 🏏 Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal are making their Test debut 💫#BANvPAK pic.twitter.com/RyeuELYiMt — Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 8, 2026 The Sylhet International Cricket Stadium will host the second Test from 16 to 20 May. The two Tests are part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27. Pakistan are currently placed fifth on the points table after playing two Tests against South Africa at home in October last year. The hosts won the first Test by 93 runs, while the touring side won the second Test by eight wickets. Bangladesh are currently placed eighth in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 standings after losing their two-Test series against Sri Lanka 1-0 in June last year. Pakistan last toured Bangladesh for a two-Test series in November/December 2021 and won the series 2-0. Overall, the two sides have played 15 Tests against each other, with Pakistan winning 12 and Bangladesh winning two, while one match ended in draws. Playing XIs Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Azan Awais, Abdullah Fazal, Shan Masood(c), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan(w), Salman Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Noman Ali, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas. Bangladesh: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto(c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das(w), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Ebadot Hossain.