BAN vs PAK match predictions [Source: AFP]In the midst of the T20 extravaganza in Asia, Test cricket is once again set to take the centre stage at the Sher-E-Bangla Stadium, Mirpur, as Bangladesh take on Pakistan in the first of the two Test matches from May 8 at 9:30 AM (IST). After creating history in the 2024 away tour of Pakistan, the hosts will be excited to replicate some similar performances at home to resume the World Test Championship 2025-27 on a high note. On the other hand, Pakistan would look to solve their identity crisis in red-ball cricket after finishing at the bottom of the last WTC table. With the first Test to get underway on Friday morning, we explore what to expect from the match. PAK vs BAN current form (last 5 matches) TeamSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableFormSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableBangladeshSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableW, D, L, W, WSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TablePakistanSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableL, W, L, W, LSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TablePAK vs BAN player battlesBabar Azam vs Taijul Islam Babar Azam is on the lookout for his 10th Test century since December 2022, and this tour of Bangladesh, after a swashbuckling PSL season, would have his hopes high. If he gets going, he can single-handedly win a Test for Pakistan as well.He averages just over 42 against left-arm orthodox with 19 dismissals in 52 innings so far, but interestingly has a good record against Taijul Islam (94 runs in 144 balls; 0 dismissals). How the Bangladesh all-time leading wicket-taker does well against Babar could determine the result of the match.Mushfiqur Rahim vs Mohammad AbbasMuch like Babar Azam for Pakistan, Mushfiqur Rahim for Bangladesh is the linchpin of their batting lineup, having scored over 6500 runs. An early dismissal of Rahim could open up a window for the visitors to run through the batting lineup, and senior bowler Mohammad Abbas would play a part in it.In his Test career, Rahim averages over 38, but his average against right-arm pacers is just over 30, which means a moving ball from Abbas can do the trick.Saud Shakeel vs Mehidy Hasan Miraz Saud Shakeel has been a consistent performer in Pakistan's middle-order and is their second-highest scorer in January 2024, scoring 813 runs with four fifties and two hundreds. Contrary to the general belief, he is a left-hand batter who plays off-spin well, having averaged 75 in 32 innings against them with 7 dismissals.Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who will be up against him, will have a task cut out for him, considering a positive match-up for the bowler. How the duo fares against each other would be crucial for the respective teams.PAK vs BAN top performers (current squad members) Most runs for BAN vs PAK Mushfiqur Rahim has scored 566 runs against Pakistan in 15 innings, averaging 40.42 with two fifties and a hundred to his name. He has the best score of 191(341) against them. Also Read: Bangladesh Predicted Playing XI vs Pakistan- PAK Tour of BAN 2026, 1st TestMost wickets for BAN vs PAK Taijul Islam has picked 22 wickets in 7 innings, with two five-fers against Pakistan. He has the best figures of 7/116 against them and averaged 37.04 at a strike rate of 67.10 in these encounters. Most runs for PAK vs BAN Mohammad Rizwan has 362 runs in 7 innings against Bangladesh at an average of 72.40 with two fifties and a hundred, where he racked up 171*(239) against them. Most wickets for PAK vs BAN Shaheen Afridi has picked 17 wickets in 8 innings at an impressive average of 19.05 and a strike rate of 46.10. He also has a brilliant economy rate of 2.47 runs per over and the best figures of 5/32. BAN vs PAK toss prediction So far, 29 Tests have been played at the Sher-E-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka, where 14 have been won batting first, 12 bowling first, and 3 have ended in draws. The teams usually like to bat first and pile up big totals here, considering the wicket gets trickier to bat on as the time progresses.It is a spin-friendly, slow wicket, where the cutters will also do a trick for the seamers. Teams have also won 5 matches by an innings, and 6 have been won by margins of over 200 runs. Hence, winning the toss and batting first is the best option here.BAN vs PAK 1st innings score prediction Final score – 354/10 BAN vs PAK 2nd innings score prediction Final score – 309/10 BAN vs PAK 3rd innings score prediction Final score – 278/10 BAN vs PAK 4th innings score prediction Final score – 214/10 PAK vs BAN top players prediction BAN top players' prediction Probable best batters Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das Probable best bowlers Taijul Islam, Shoriful Islam PAK top players prediction Probable best batters Shaan Masood, Babar Azam Probable best bowlers Noman Ali, Shaheen Afridi Who will score the most fours in BAN vs PAK, 1st Test? Saud Shakeel PAK vs BAN match winner prediction: Who will win the 1st Test? Over the past few months, despite turmoil around the board, the Bangladesh team has turned up and performed well in white-ball cricket and have a well-gelled unit. On the other hand, Pakistan players are coming off a long T20 season.So, it could take a bit of time for the visitors to adjust to red-ball cricket again. Additionally, considering the conditions, Bangladesh is not an easy place to visit. Hence, the hosts are likely to win the first Test in Dhaka. Also Read: After Bengaluru, Hyderabad Stadium Comes In Trouble Mid IPL, Police Issues Statement
