Pakistan have handed Test debuts to two new batsmen, Abdullah Fazal and Azan Awais, in the first Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka. The uncapped players were presented with their Test caps prior to the match.
Pakistan Opt for Youth After Azam Injury
With former captain Babar Azam unavailable due to a left knee injury, Pakistan have opted to inject youth into their batting line-up. Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal, both left-handed top-order batters, have been included in the playing XI for the first Test of the two-Test series.
Pakistan captain Shan Masood won the toss and elected to field first at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. Pre-match attention, however, focused on the two debutants.
Who is Azan Awais?
Azan Awais, aged 21, hails from Sialkot. He is considered a highly-rated left-handed batter and one of Pakistan’s brightest red-ball prospects.
Awais has made an impressive start to his first-class career, accumulating 2673 runs in 33 matches. He boasts an average of 48.60, including 10 centuries and nine fifties. His highest score remains an unbeaten 203.
Fazal’s Domestic Form Rewarded
Abdullah Fazal, a 23-year-old opening batter from Karachi, has earned his call-up after establishing a strong reputation in Pakistan’s domestic circuit. He has shown consistent performances in first-class cricket.
In 25 first-class matches, Fazal has scored 1828 runs at an average of 41.54. His record includes four centuries and 10 fifties, with a career-best score of 182.
Pakistan’s Complete Line-up
Pakistan’s batting lineup for the Test features Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Fazal, Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan.
The visitors also welcomed back veteran pacer Mohammad Abbas alongside Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali, while Noman Ali was picked as the lone specialist spinner.
Bangladesh Team News
Bangladesh have recalled fast bowler Taskin Ahmed for his first Test appearance since December 2024. He returns after recovering from injury.
The hosts’ bowling attack also includes Nahid Rana, Ebadot Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam.
Looking to the Future
The series marks an important phase for Pakistan as they begin rebuilding their Test side with a younger batting core.