Rawalpindi: Pakistan cricket team will start the first test match against Bangladesh at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium today (Wednesday).
It will also be Shaun Masood’s first Test match on home soil as captain, ushering in a new era in Red Ball cricket for the team. The second Test match will be played at the same stadium from August 30 to September 3.
Pakistan is currently ranked sixth in the ICC World Test Championship. Pakistan has played two series in the championship, against Sri Lanka he won by 2 -0and against Australia he had to lost by 3 -0.
Pakistan will play nine Test matches in this season, its busiest Test season since 1998-99. Seven of these Test matches will be played in Pakistan, including two against Bangladesh, three against England in October and two against the West Indies in January next year.
The two Test matches are against South Africa which will be played in December/January in South Africa.
The first Test against Bangladesh is Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie’s first international assignment since his appointment in April this year.
In this match, which will be broadcast live on A Sports, PTV Sports and Ten Sports, the toss will be at 9:30 AM and the match will start at 10 AM.
For the convenience of the fans, the tickets are kept at a very modest price and are available online at PCB.tcs.com.pk. Additionally, fans can purchase tickets which are available at the ticket booth located at the Aviation Ground, opposite Rescue 1122, Rawal Road.
Pakistan team captain Shan Masood says that fans always want the cricket team to perform well and win matches for them. We are excited for this series and the upcoming season. We have a talented group of cricketers who are eager to do well in the series. Our bowlers have the ability to take twenty wickets and help the team win matches.
The series against Bangladesh is very important for us as we have a busy season to prepare for and we are determined to do well. We had some good training sessions before the series and the coaching staff worked hard with the players. It is an honor to lead the team at home ground. With captaincy comes great responsibility and I will try my best to take this team forward.
Bangladesh captain Najam Hussain Shanto says that we are thankful to PCB for helping us to practice in Lahore. We had two sessions there and I hope the players will do well in the series.
The series against Pakistan is very important and we know that the Pakistan team has great potential. This series is part of the ICC Championship and we know that every match is very important. The series between Bangladesh A and Shaheens has helped our players get a better feel for the conditions.”