Pakistan Captain Afraid Of Bangladesh; Shuts Down Test Revenge Talks

Shan Masood in Pakistan jersey [Source: AFP]

The Pakistan national cricket team faced a humiliating defeat in the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh just a few days back.

Ahead of their two-match Test series starting on May 8, Men in Green Test skipper Shan Masood picked up a crucial aspect of his team's strengths and weaknesses while praising the Bangladesh cricket team's resilience and indirectly asserting the dominance of the hosts.

The first Test scheduled at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, the traditional turning pitch will see the Pakistan squad featuring veterans like Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, and Mohammad Rizwan.

Yet, it seemed like Shan Masood was a little short of confidence while facing the Bengal Tigers at their home ground.

Shan Masood Shuns Revenge Talks On Bangladesh From 2024

For the record, the Bengal Tigers earlier scripted a memorable red-ball meeting between the two sides when they swept Pakistan 2-0 in Rawalpindi back in 2024. This already called for a spicy revenge that the Men in Green could impose upon the hosts, especially after the ODI series loss.

However, Shan Masood seemed to have turned his back on revenge talks as he credited the hosts' fighting spirit from two years back.

“We do not associate our side with words like ‘revenge.’ We must give credit to the Bangladesh team for how they prepared and played in 2024. Even when we were on top, such as when they were 26 for 6, they showed the skill and ability to fight back and win the Test match,” Masood told reporters in Mirpur on the eve of the opening Test.

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Masood Praises “Stronger” Bangladesh Side Ahead Of 1st Test

While speaking about the rivalry, Shan Masood was clear that he would not take any opposition lightly, especially the Bengal Tigers, as he praised the strength of the current squad led by Najmul Hossain Shanto.

“We will not take any opposition lightly. For us, the focus is on our own process and the brand of cricket we play. I have been involved in two previous series against Bangladesh. The current side is quite similar to the one we played two years ago in Rawalpindi -- very competitive, skillful, and well-covered in all departments, including batting, pace, and spin,” Masood added.

Pakistan have included four uncapped players in the squad, namely Abdullah Fazal, Ahmad Butt, Azan Awais, and Muhammad Ghazi Gori.

All of these youngsters will be playing alongside an experienced core featuring Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, as well as Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Pakistan Skipper Happy With Current Squad

With the majority of the experienced chunk coming off the PSL 2026 campaign, it will be a refresher for the veterans to switch from the shortest format of the game to red-ball cricket.

Nevertheless, Masood acknowledged that he is happy with the squad the Men in Green boast ahead of the two-match series. Masood also acknowledged the availability of players like Imam-ul-Haq and the experience he will bring at the top of the order alongside Babar and Shan Masood himself.

“Every team has its own strengths. We focus on our own skills and judge things from our own perspective. We have brought a well-rounded 16-man squad that can play in most conditions. We are very happy with the squad we have, and now it is about playing ten days of good cricket. Hopefully, whoever plays the best will win the series,” he said.

Bowling Attack Primary For Test Win

The Pakistan skipper also underlined the aggressive bowling attack, which features names like Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, and Shaheen Afridi, veterans of the game who possess the power to shake Bangladesh's batting core right from the very beginning of the Test match.

“The message is clear. In Test cricket, you cannot win unless you take 20 wickets. The role of the bowlers is vital, and we have full confidence in them. They are leaders who have performed for this team before. 

Success requires a complete team effort -- good batting to put up runs, good bowling to take wickets, and sharp fielding to create chances. Our responsibility over the next ten days is to play complete cricket, take those 20 wickets, and win the series,” Shan Masood concluded.

The two-match Test series will be a good start for both countries since they will be contesting in the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle. While the first Test will be hosted in Dhaka, the second Test will see Pakistan face off against Bangladesh at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on May 16.

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