Pakistan cricketers near significant milestones in upcoming Test series against Bangladesh

After a disappointing performance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, Pakistan's men's cricket team is gearing up for the 2024-25 season with a two-match Test series against Bangladesh on home soil. 

The series will commence at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, August 21, with the second match slated to be played at the National Stadium in Karachi, starting from August 30.

Led by Shan Masood, the Pakistan team is keen to bounce back from a 0-3 defeat against Australia earlier this year. A strong showing in the home series is crucial for Pakistan to maintain its chances of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final.

Star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi is on the brink of making history as the first Pakistani bowler to claim 100 wickets in the WTC. Afridi, who will spearhead Pakistan's pace attack in the series, currently boasts 91 wickets in 24 Tests. He needs just nine more wickets in the upcoming matches to join an elite group of bowlers.

So far, 11 bowlers have surpassed the 100-wicket mark in the WTC, including three from India - R Ashwin (174), Jasprit Bumrah (110), and Ravindra Jadeja (102). Four Australian bowlers - Nathan Lyon (187), Pat Cummins (175), Mitchell Starc (147), and Josh Hazlewood (109) have also achieved this milestone.

Afridi leads the pack for Pakistan in the WTC, followed by Naseem Shah with 51 wickets. Naseem, who suffered an injury during the Asia Cup 2023 against India, last played a Test match against Sri Lanka in July 2023.

The series against Bangladesh also presents a significant opportunity for Pakistan’s captain Shan Masood and vice-captain Saud Shakeel to reach 1,000 runs in the WTC. Masood, appointed as captain after Babar Azam stepped down, has accumulated 985 runs in 18 matches. Saud, the newly appointed vice-captain, has scored 967 runs in 10 Test matches.