Pakistan batting order decided for first Test against Bangladesh

The Test series between Pakistan and Bangladesh is set to start on August 21 in Rawalpindi, with the first Test scheduled to run until August 25.

In preparation for the series, eight members of the Pakistan Test squad participated in a four-day match against Bangladesh A, playing as part of the Pakistan Shaheens.

This four-day game served as a valuable opportunity for these players to fine-tune their skills before the Test series.

Abdullah Shafique has already been confirmed as an opener in the Test XI. Meanwhile, Saim Ayub and Mohammad Huraira were competing to secure the other opening spot alongside Shafique.

Saim struggled in the first innings, scoring only 11 runs, while Huraira managed a more solid 39 runs off 67 balls, showing resilience against the new ball.

Huraira, who recently scored a double century for Pakistan Shaheens against Bangladesh A during their Darwin tour, is now expected to be favored over Saim Ayub for the opening slot and likely to make his Test debut.

The middle-order for Pakistan is set to feature Shan Masood, Babar Azam, and Saud Shakeel, batting at positions 3, 4, and 5, respectively.

Mohammad Rizwan is expected to take the wicketkeeping duties, batting at number six, which means Sarfaraz Ahmed will not feature in the first Test. Agha Salman is anticipated to play as the all-rounder at number seven.

In the four-day match, Pakistan declared their first innings at 367/4 after gaining a lead of 245 runs. The third day of play was washed out, and on the final day, Bangladesh reached 153/5, still trailing by 92 runs, before bad light halted the game.