Bangladesh Wins Toss, Sends Pakistan to Bat in Rain-Delayed First Test
Bangladesh win the toss and opt to field first.—Photo courtesy: PCB X
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and opted to bowl first against Pakistan on the opening day of the first Test, which started late due to a wet outfield. The match, held in Rawalpindi, saw a delayed start after the umpires, Richard Kettleborough and Adrian Holdstock, conducted four inspections but found wet patches from overnight rain that were deemed unsafe for play.
With 230 minutes lost and no play before lunch, the day was reduced to just 48 overs. The weather forecast for the five-day match remains uncertain, with rain and bad light expected.
Read More: Pakistan vs Bangladesh Test Series: Focus on Spin Bowling
Pakistan fielded an all-pace attack, leaving out a frontline spinner, while Bangladesh balanced their lineup with three pacers and two spinners. Notably, all-rounder Aamer Jamal was excluded from Pakistan’s squad for this first fixture of the two-match series, which is part of the World Test Championship (WTC) third cycle (2023-2025). Pakistan currently sits sixth on the WTC table, while Bangladesh is in eighth place.
The second Test, initially scheduled for Karachi, has been moved to Rawalpindi and will begin on August 30 due to construction work at the Karachi stadium.