Pakistan are set to face Bangladesh in two Tests, aiming to improve their position in the ICC World Test Championship Standings. Pakistan currently sit fifth.
Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has stated that the visitors are not dwelling on the past, despite Bangladesh’s Test series win over Pakistan in 2024 remaining a key talking point.
“The past is the past. Personally, I do not want to dwell on it,” said Shaheen.
Pakistan’s Test Aims
Shaheen said, “Our goal is to focus on the present and the future. We are preparing to win the (World Test) Championship, not just a single series. As a team, we have big goals and we are ready.”
The Pakistan players have been preparing for red-ball cricket, managing their workloads during the Pakistan Super League.
Afridi added, “Our last series against South Africa in Pakistan was a long time ago. As a team, we are ready. We had preparation time in Pakistan and now here for the last two to three days. We are looking forward to the challenge.”
“This period is very important for us as a Test team. We are playing a long season of Test cricket. We are focusing on how to prepare for the first Test. We hope the conditions suit us so we can play our best cricket here.
“We were already preparing during the PSL. After matches, we bowled extra overs on the side wickets. We worked on our bowling workloads to switch quickly to Tests. In the four or five days here, we tried to bowl around 25 overs to get used to the format.”
World Test Championship Focus
Afridi also underlined Pakistan’s ambitions in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle. Pakistan have played two Tests so far in the current cycle, with one win and one defeat against South Africa.
He said, “Playing against any team in their home conditions is always tough. We are not just looking at one series; we are focusing on the World Test Championship.”
“Our goal is to qualify for the final and win it. We will give our best to achieve that. The whole team understands that we need to play our best in the Test format.”
Bangladesh’s Perspective
Bangladesh, meanwhile, are also eager to move on from their memorable 2024 triumph and focus on creating fresh success at home.
Head coach Phil Simmons said his side are treating the upcoming series as a new challenge despite the confidence gained from their previous success.
Simmons said, “We want to make new history. It doesn’t matter what happened then. Yes, you keep it in your mind because it gives you a boost, but this is a new game and a new place,” Simmons said.
“We are in Bangladesh now, not Pakistan. We have to put those things behind us and focus on Friday.”
Bangladesh last played Test cricket against Sri Irel