Pakistan vs Bangladesh – 1st Test Match Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Pakistan vs Bangladesh taking place? Friday 7th February, 2020 – 05:00 (UK)
Where is Pakistan vs Bangladesh taking place? Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
What is the expected weather for Pakistan vs Bangladesh? Temperatures will vary from 14-17c with sunny and clear skies expected on each day
What channel is Pakistan vs Bangladesh on? This match will not be televised live
Where can I stream Pakistan vs Bangladesh? This match will not be streamed live in the UK
Where can I get tickets for Pakistan vs Bangladesh? Tickets for this match can be purchased at the stadium!
LAST MEETING
Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 328 runs
THE TEAM NEWS
PAKISTAN
- Pakistan will turn their attention to the longest format of the game after they claimed a 2-0 series win over Bangladesh in their recent T20 series and they will be confident of carrying on where they left off.
- After beating Sri Lanka 1-0 during their two-match series in December, Pakistan have made few changes to that squad after opting to stick with the same group of players other than Kashif Bhatti and Usman Shinwari who are dropped.
- Bilal Asif has earned a recall and the all-rounder will hope to force his way into the side along with fellow all-rounder Faheem Ashraf who has performed well in domestic cricket recently.
BANGLADESH
- Russell Domingo is still without a win in Test matches since his appointment as Bangladesh coach after their most recent series against India ended in heavy back-to-back defeats with his side losing both matches by an innings.
- Tamim Iqbal is the key inclusion after he missed out against India due to a groin injury and he is set to open the batting with Saif Hassan but there is a gap to plug in the side with captain Mushfiqur Rahim deciding to pull out of the tour due to security concerns.
- In Rahim’s absence, Liton Das will take wicket but it will also result in a change to the batting order with Najmul Hossain Shanton taking the important number three spot with Mominul Haque, Mohammad Mithun and Mahmudullah Riyad following Shanton in the order.
THE PREDICTION
Pakistan got the better of Bangladesh in the recent T20 series and the hosts will be hoping for a similar outcome in the Test arena. Pakistan won their series against Sri Lanka in December whilst Bangladesh were on the end of two heavy defeats against India. The tourists have plenty of work to do if they are to bounce back from those disappointing defeats and although they have a stronger squad available to them this time, Pakistan are likely to be too good on home soil.
