![BAN predicted XI vs PAK [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1778130429090_BangladeshTest.jpg?type=hq)
BAN predicted XI vs PAK [Source: AFP]
Test cricket is set to return to Bangladesh for the first time since November, as they host Pakistan in the first of the two-match series at the Sher-E-Bangla stadium, Mirpur, from May 8 at 9:30 AM (IST).
This will be Bangladesh's second World Test Championship 2025-27 assignment and their first at home in this cycle, having drawn one and lost one on their tour of Sri Lanka last year. They are currently placed 8th on the table, while Pakistan, who tied the two-match series at home against South Africa, are placed fifth.
The home series will also serve Bangladesh a golden opportunity to do a unique home and away double over the opposition after they clean-swept Pakistan in Pakistan back in 2024. Their series win in 2024 was the first time they had defeated Pakistan in a Test series.
As Bangladesh looks to resume the WTC cycle on a high, we take a look at their expected playing XI for the match.
Bangladesh Playing XI vs Pakistan- 1st Test 2026
Top Order: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque
Mamudul Hasan Joy was Bangladesh's leading run-getter in the last series they played against Ireland in November 2025. In the three innings he batted, he racked up a 171-run knock alongside another fifty to score 265 runs in 3 innings of the series.
Hasan Joy will be accompanied by Shadman Islam, who got two fifties in that series and has experience of 26 Tests under his belt.
The openers will be followed in the Bangladesh Playing XI vs Pakistan by the experienced Mominul Haque, who is among their best batters with 75 Tests, closing in on 5000 runs at an average of 37.66 as he looks to topple Tamim Iqbal to become their second-highest scorer.
Middle Order and All-Rounders: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam
Bangladesh boast of a strong middle order, which has a lot of experience. Led by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto at number 4, they have their all-time leading run-getter, Mushfiqur Rahim at 5, wicketkeeper bat, Litton Das at 6 and all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz at 7.
Shanto, who was in a brilliant ODI form vs New Zealand, is likely to return from his injury, having missed the T20Is. He has 2298 runs in 73 innings, while Mushfiqur Rahim, who became the first Bangladesh player to complete 100 Tests, is an automatic choice at 5 with 6510 runs and 13 hundreds.
Litton Das, with 52 Tests and 3117 runs at an average of over 35, will slot in at 6, and ODI skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz is their dependable all-rounder in the Bangladesh Playing XI vs Pakistan with 2174 runs in 56 Tests and 210 wickets. He is their third-highest wicket-taker in Test history.
All-time leading Test wicket-taker for Bangladesh, the left-arm orthodox Taijul Islam will be the bowling all-rounder with 250 scalps to his name in an illustrious career. He went past Shakib Al Hasan's 246 wickets in the last Test that Bangladesh played, and can add a few runs at the back end of the innings as well.
Bowlers: Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam
The 31-year-old right-arm quick, Taskin Ahmed, who last played a Test match in December 2024, is likely to make a return to the Bangladesh Playing XI vs Pakistan for the first Test. Predominantly seen as a white-ball bowler, he has 49 wickets in 17 Tests, including the best figures of 6/64.
The 23-year-old Nahid Rana is currently their most in-form bowler after his recent PSL 2026 win with the Peshawar Zalmi and 8 wickets in three ODIs against the Kiwis to win the series. He averages a bit high with the ball in Tests, but considering his form, he is likely to be picked in the XI for the red-ball series.
Left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam will complete this Bangladesh Playing XI vs Pakistan with the unique angle that the tall bowler brings into the mix. He has 26 Test wickets in 12 matches and has a better bowling average and economy than the other two quicks. Having impressed in limited-overs cricket, this series will be an opportunity for him to stamp his authority in Test cricket.
Alternatively, if the pitch is slow or has enough cracks to start the match with, Nayeem Hasan's impressive off-break can be included in the Bangladesh Playing XI vs Pakistan to support Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam. With 300 FC wickets in 75 matches, he is capable of replacing Taskin Ahmed.
Bangladesh Playing XI vs Pakistan- Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed/Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam.
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