There have been plenty of stats, both pre-made and impending, flying around, explaining just how much murkier the waters around Pakistan currently are. They have lost to Bangladesh. Thrice. On the bounce. In terms of their World Test Championship (WTC) points, Pakistan, now placed seventh on the points table, could think of themselves as just starting out. After all, with just four points in their kitty, what else could they make of it?
And if they decide to start everything anew, playing a sink-or-swim match at the home of a team that has thrashed you in your own backyard doesn’t really fill one with hope. Especially when this series was supposed to be light work for them, if history was anything to go by.
But Bangladesh have earned every bit of the menacing opposition tag that defines them now. They switched allegiances to fast bowling after years of thriving on hoodwinking batters. They also stuck to the ground rules of the format more adamantly than the visitors, which, in the end, was why they got the result of their choice in a thrilling day-five contest.
Squad Overview:
Babar Azam’s return is one of the few positives for Pakistan as they head into the Sylhet Test. Pakistan’s head coach, Sarfaraz Ahmed, confirmed that he will be available for selection. This could see Pakistan shuffling their batting lineup once again, with Imam-ul-Haq most likely to be axed to make way for Babar. As a result, Shan Masood could open alongside Azan Awais, with Abdullah Fazal at No. 3.
But is Babar’s return really as much of a relief? He has not crossed three figures since 2022, and while a brilliant PSL campaign does build momentum, it would only further elongate his woeful dry patch if he fails to put up the numbers in internationals, especially in Test cricket.
There are also reports that Pakistan might bench Shaheen Shah Afridi to bring Khurram Shahzad into the playing XI.
Bangladesh included Zakir Hasan in their squad in place of Shadman Islam, who injured himself. While Shadman wasn’t part of the playing XI in the first Test, Zakir could get a chance with reports emerging of Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s injury.
Pitch Report:
Sylhet’s weather, instead of its surface, might hold more importance for the teams. The weather forecast suggests plenty of rain could make its way into the Test match, and that could have a significant effect on the result. When it is not raining, Sylhet has a reputation for dishing out surfaces that make fast bowlers salivate. The pitch offers even bounce and a bit of pace too, though post-rain surfaces might behave differently.
Where to Watch:
Bangladesh: T Sports, Nagorik TV, Tapmad
Pakistan: PTV Sports, Tapmad
Sri Lanka: Dialog TV, PEO TV
India: FanCode
New Zealand: Sky NZ
Australia: FOX Cricket, Kayo Sports
South East Asia & MENA: Cricbuzz
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