PAK vs BAN first Test: Bangladesh looks to Shakib to ‘do something special’ against pace-heavy Pakistan

Bangladesh tour of Pakistan: Pakistan vs Bangladesh first Test in Rawalpindi on August 21, 2024.

Bangladesh is pinning its hopes on all-rounder and former lawmaker Shakib Al Hasan to "do something special” against pace-heavy Pakistan in the opening test of the two-match series, starting on Wednesday (August 21, 2024).

“(Shakib) played this game for so long, so he knows his role,” Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said on the eve of the first test match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

“He knows how to prepare himself, so I am not thinking about his political career and I hope he will do something special in this series. He's a professional cricketer and we all treat him as a cricketer, to be very honest.” Bangladesh's most accomplished all-rounder, spin great Shakib was playing in the T20 league in Canada during political turmoil in his country back home.

The unrest hampered preparations and Bangladesh flew to Pakistan four days ahead of schedule to get an additional three days of training in Lahore.

Rawalpindi will host both the test matches.

The series is part of the World Test Championship in which Pakistan is languishing at No. 6 spot while Bangladesh is at No. 8, above last-place West Indies.

Pakistan has an impressive test record against Bangladesh, winning all but one of the 13 matches. The teams drew at Khulna in Bangladesh in 2015.