The much-anticipated Test series between Pakistan and Bangladesh kicked off today at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, following a minor delay caused by overnight rain. The wet outfield necessitated multiple pitch inspections, but conditions were eventually deemed playable, allowing the match to begin in the early afternoon.
The toss took place at 2:00 PM local time, with Bangladesh winning and electing to bowl first. This decision was likely influenced by the moist pitch conditions, which Bangladesh hopes will give their bowlers an early advantage.
To compensate for the lost time, 48 overs are scheduled for the first day, with play extending until 6:00 PM. An additional 30 minutes have been reserved, if needed, to complete the day’s overs.
This Test series is crucial for both teams as part of the ICC World Test Championship. Pakistan, led by Shan Masood and guided by their new head coach, Jason Gillespie, aims to leverage their home advantage following a challenging series in Australia. On the other hand, Bangladesh, despite facing internal challenges and coming off a tough series against Sri Lanka, is determined to showcase their resilience and strength on foreign soil.
