Ban vs Pak: Pakistan cap two debutants in a fast-bowling packed XI for the 1st Test

Pakistan have handed Test caps to batters Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal to fit them into their top order after Babar Azam was ruled out of the 1st Test. 

Pakistan tweak their batting order

Shan Masood will come in at No. 4, which is usually occupied by Babar, who picked up a left knee injury on the eve of the first game.

This move allowed Pakistan to slot in two debutants, with Imam-ul-Haq taking the other opening spot. The rest of the batting lineup constitutes Pakistan’s usual middle-order batters: Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, who also takes the gloves, and Salman Ali Agha. 

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Ban vs Pak Test series: Schedule, Venues, Squads & Head-to-Head Following the conclusion of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Pakistan are making a quick shift to the red-ball format as they gear up for a two-match Test series against Bangladesh.

by mishaalmubarak May 6, 2026

Fast-bowling packed XI

The visitors have, however, dropped one of their Sajid Khan-Noman Ali spin duo, seemingly in line with Mirpur’s green surface. Noman Ali is the only specialist spinner, with three pacers including Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Abbas.

Pakistan captain Shan Masood opted to field first after calling it right at the toss, and the decision worked in Pakistan’s favour for most of the first session. The visitors were able to get both openers within the first ten overs. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque then led the recovery to bring Bangladesh back into contention before lunch.

Pakistan Playing XI

Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Fazal, Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan †, Salman Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Noman Ali, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas

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