While Pakistan’s fast bowlers took 19 out of 24 wickets in the two Test matches against Bangladesh, the spinners took 43 out of 46 wickets in the three-match series against England.
Rawalpindi’s defeat has also cast doubt on Shan Masood’s captaincy. Although he retained his post, he is still leading the team which has now reached Bangladesh. Since the last series against Bangladesh, Pakistan have played nine Tests, winning four.
Bangladesh last played Test cricket against Ireland at home in November last year, winning both the matches. However, those fixtures were not part of the World Test Championship cycle. In the current cycle, Bangladesh have played only one series so far, away to Sri Lanka in June last year.
The upcoming series against Pakistan, starting on May 8, provides an opportunity for Bangladesh to address long-standing inconsistencies in home Test performances. In the previous World Test Championship cycle, Bangladesh had won only one of the six home Tests, despite winning three of the six matches.