Bangladesh vs Pakistan: Pakistan Opt to Bowl as Azan Awais Makes Test Debut in Dhaka

The much-anticipated bangladesh vs pakistan first Test got underway at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Friday, with the Pakistan national cricket teamwinning the toss and electing to field first in the opening match of the two-Test series.

Pakistan captain Shan Masood decided to take advantage of the early morning conditions in Dhaka, where seam movement was expected to assist the fast bowlers during the opening session. Both sides entered the contest with pace-heavy attacks, highlighting how crucial the new ball could be in shaping the match.

A major talking point before the start of play was the absence of Babar Azam, who was ruled out due to a knee injury. Pakistan instead handed debuts to youngsters Abdullah Fazal and Azan Awais, signaling a fresh direction for their Test setup.

Pakistan’s playing XI featured Imam-ul-Haq, Azan Awais, Abdullah Fazal, Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Noman Ali, Hasan Ali, and Mohammad Abbas. Bangladesh, meanwhile, relied on a balanced combination led by Najmul Hossain Shanto and experienced batter Mushfiqur Rahim.

The hosts began cautiously after being put in to bat. Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy opened the innings positively and struck the first boundary of the match off Shaheen Afridi. However, the left-arm pacer soon found his rhythm and dismissed Joy for 8 runs after persistent pressure outside the off stump.

Bangladesh also lost Shadman Islam early, but captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque steadied the innings with a composed partnership through the first session. At lunch on Day 1, Bangladesh had crossed the 100-run mark with two wickets down, recovering well after the early breakthroughs.

Speaking at the toss, Shan Masood said the conditions encouraged Pakistan to bowl first. “There should be help for the pacers early on,” Masood said at the toss.

Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto admitted his side would have preferred bowling first as well but backed his batters to put up a competitive total. “It looks like a good wicket for batting later,” Shanto said.

The opening Test also marks another important chapter in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. Bangladesh entered the series hoping to capitalize on home conditions, while Pakistan aimed to rebuild momentum despite missing senior names. Much of the spotlight remains on debutant Azan Awais, whose inclusion reflects Pakistan’s attempt to strengthen its next generation of red-ball batters. The young opener had impressed in domestic cricket and earned his maiden cap after consistent performances in Pakistan’s first-class circuit.

For Bangladesh, Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s role at the top remains vital, especially against a quality pace attack featuring Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Abbas. Though his stay at the crease was brief in the first innings, Bangladesh will continue to depend on the opener’s ability to negotiate the new ball in challenging conditions. The Dhaka surface is expected to evolve as the Test progresses, potentially bringing Bangladesh’s spinners into the contest from Day 3 onward. However, the opening day belonged largely to the seamers, with both teams loading their XIs with fast-bowling options.

Sportscape think that Pakistan’s decision to field first in Dhaka reflects a growing tactical shift in Asian Test cricket, where teams are increasingly relying on pace in the opening sessions before spin takes over later in the match. The debut of Azan Awais also signals Pakistan’s long-term rebuilding strategy in red-ball cricket, especially with senior players unavailable.

For Bangladesh, the performance of Mahmudul Hasan Joy at the top remains a critical factor, as the hosts aim to establish consistency against high-quality pace attacks in ICC World Test Championship fixtures.