Pakistan vs Bangladesh 1st Test 2026 Kicks Off in Dhaka

Pakistan kicked off the Pakistan vs Bangladesh 1st Test 2026 on Friday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl first, setting the stage for an exciting opening day.

Two fresh faces are stepping into Test cricket for Pakistan. Abdullah Fazal and Azan Awais are both making their debut in this match. It is a big moment for these young players, and all eyes will be on how they perform at the highest level.

Star batter Babar Azam is missing from the squad. He has been ruled out due to a left knee injury, which is a major blow for Pakistan heading into this series.

Pakistan are fifth in the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 table. They have played two Tests so far — winning one and losing one — and hold 12 points with a 50% win rate.

Bangladesh come into this match sitting eighth in the WTC standings. They have managed one draw and suffered one defeat in their two games. The hosts will be keen to use home conditions to their advantage.

🚨 TOSS & PLAYING XI 🚨

Pakistan win the toss and opt to field first against Bangladesh 🏏

Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal are making their Test debut 💫#BANvPAK pic.twitter.com/RyeuELYiMt

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 8, 2026

The last time these two sides met was in August 2024, when Bangladesh made history. They beat Pakistan 2-0 in a Test series on Pakistani soil — their first-ever away series win against the Green Shirts.

The second Test of this series is scheduled from May 16 to 20 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan XI: Imam-ul-Haq, Azan Awais, Abdullah Fazal, Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Noman Ali, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas.

Bangladesh XI: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Ebadot Hossain.