The Pakistan tour of Bangladesh 2026 kicks off with a two-match Test series starting on May 8, 2026. This series is a critical component of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle, with both teams looking to climb the ladder from their current mid-to-lower table positions.
Pakistan enters the series ranked 5th in the WTC standings. Under Shan Masood’s leadership, the squad features a blend of seasoned stars like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi alongside four uncapped players, signaling a focus on long-term transitions.
Bangladesh, currently 8th in the WTC table, will be led by Najmul Hossain Shanto. Playing at home in Dhaka and Sylhet, they rely heavily on their spin contingent, led by Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam, to exploit local conditions. Historically, Pakistan have dominated this matchup (11 wins to Bangladesh’s 2), but the Tigers have become formidable at home in recent years.
The series will likely hinge on the battle between Pakistan’s prolific spin duo, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, and Bangladesh’s versatile all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who remains the hosts’ most dangerous asset in home conditions. While Babar and Saud Shakeel provide technical stability for the visitors against the turn, the raw pace of Nahid Rana and the new-ball threat of Shaheen could prove decisive if the Mirpur pitch offers the expected early bounce.
BAN vs PAK 2026, Test series: Complete schedule
| Date | Match details | Timings (IST, GMT and Local) |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, May 8 2026 | 1st Test, Bangladesh vs Pakistan Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka | 9:30 AM IST/4:00 AM GMT/10:00 AM Local |
| Sat, May 16 2026 | 2nd Test, Bangladesh vs Pakistan Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet | 9:30 AM IST/4:00 AM GMT/10:00 AM Local |
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Squads
Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Azan Awais, Shan Masood(c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan(w), Salman Agha, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Amad Butt, Mohammad Abbas, Khurram Shahzad, Ghazi Ghori, Abdullah Fazal
Bangladesh: Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto(c), Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Amite Hasan
Broadcast & Live Streaming Details:
- Pakistan: PTV Sports, Tampad
- India: Fancode
- Bangladesh: T Sports and Nagorik TV
Also READ: Shakib Al Hasan labels Bangladesh Cricket Board’s T20 World Cup 2026 boycott decision a “blunder”
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