New era for Bangladesh and Pakistan ahead of first Test

Bangladesh begin a two-Test series in Pakistan this week with their preparations severely hampered by the political turmoil that has wracked the country.

Unrest that led to the overthrow of prime minister Sheikh Hasina kept the team’s foreign coaches indoors, strictly following advisories from their embassies, while mass protests stopped the team from assembling for practice sessions.

The make-up of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is also up in the air, after president Nazmul Hassan fled the country due to his association with Hasina.

Cricket and politics go hand-in-hand in Bangladesh, but ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan — a member of the now-dissolved parliament for Hasina’s party — is being allowed to feature in the Pakistan series by the interim government.

“Because of the situation it was not possible to practise,” spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed told reporters.

The tourists got some reprieve after the Pakistan Cricket Board invited them to arrive four days early to make up for their lack of preparations.

A second-string Bangladesh team — with six players included from the national team — had already been playing practice games in Islamabad since August 10.

To add to Bangladesh’s problems, in-form opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy has been ruled out of the first Test with a groin strain, but senior batter Mushfiqur Rahim is expected to recover in time from a finger injury.

Bangladesh will be hoping hope to overturn their no-win record against Pakistan, having lost 12 of the 13 Tests, with just one draw.

The two-match Test series is part of the World Test Championship’s third cycle with Pakistan sixth in the current nine-team table and Bangladesh eighth.

The second Test — both matches moved to Rawalpindi because of construction work at Karachi stadium — will be played from August 30.

Following a 3-0 rout in Australia earlier this year, Pakistan brought in former Aussie paceman Jason Gillespie as Test coach, while Adelaide groundsman Damien Hough was hired to improve the standard of pitches.

Having released their only spinner, Abrar Ahmed, Pakistan will enter the Test with an all-pace attack — a ploy they last used five years ago against Sri Lanka at the same venue.

Bangladesh, however, will rely on spin with Shakib (237 wickets), Taijul Islam (195), and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (164) all included.

Pakistan captain Shan Masood refused to accept the Bangladesh team is under-prepared.

“You expect all international Test sides to come into a series well prepared and trying to play their best cricket,” he told AFP.

“Bangladesh is a side that has quality players in all departments and we highly respect the challenges they bring as a side to us.”

Masood also hopes Pakistan will show improvement under the new coach.

“We are excited to see how they (coaches) help us to be better people, better cricketers and -- most importantly -- be among the top teams in the world.”

All-rounder Salman Ali Agha says he’s excited by the prospect of serving as Pakistan’s sole spin option in the upcoming first Test.

“I am excited to take up this challenge and I’m ready for it,” Salman said at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium ahead of the team’s training session on Sunday.

“When I go out to bat, I only think that I am a batsman. Similarly, when I go out to bowl, I always think about bowling.”

Meanwhile, Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha is still interested in completing his contract with the men’s national cricket team to 2025 despite the recent political turmoil in the country.

There is a strong possibility of a major shakeup in the Bangladesh Cricket Board after the turmoil.

“I have signed a contract till whatever the date and I’m looking forward to serve that term,” the 55-year-old Hathurusingha told reporters in Rawalpindi on Monday.

“If the board (is) changed and the new people want to make a change, I’m OK with that. (If) they want me to continue, if they’re happy with me, I’m happy with that.”

He also said his “thoughts and prayers are with the families that lost loved ones.”

Hathurusingha, a former Sri Lankan international cricketer, was appointed Bangladesh’s all-format coach early in 2023 on a two-year contract. It was Hathurusingha’s second stint as Bangladesh coach after 2014-17 before he left to coach Sri Lanka.

Agencies